Popular Western Illinois Farmers’ Market Moving Locations

It's farmer's market season and one is making a move.

According to a release, on Monday, May 19th, the City of Rock Island approved a weekly use of the newly renovated 1800-block of 2nd Avenue for expanding a busy local farmers' market.

QC Farmers' Market, which has operated in Schwiebert Park at 17th Street & 1st Avenue in Rock Island, is moving to downtown Rock Island.

The farmers' market is slated to run May 31st-October 25th on Saturday mornings from 8:00 a.m.-noon.

It's part of Rock Island's new "festival street", so roads will be closed to vehicle traffic while the market is open. Right next to "festival street", there will be additional seating on the lawn along with yard games. Once a month (June-October), the Downtown Alliance will host 'Second Saturdays' on 2nd Avenue during market hours, which will include family-friendly activities and free live music.

The QC Farmers' Market has been in Schwiebert Park since 2021. They have 20 vendors and counting that are based within 50 miles of downtown Rock Island. Many of the vendors already supply food for downtown Rock Island restaurants, like NEST Cafe and QC Coffee and Pancake House.

The move is part of Rock Island's revitalization efforts. New additions to "festival street" include 28-foot-wide sidewalks, pop-up bollards for easy road closures, decorative lighting and landscaping, public art, benches, and "uniform patio areas for adjacent businesses". Free parking is available nearby and there are bicycle racks.

You can keep up with the latest from QC Farmers' Market on their Facebook page.