National Farmers Market Week, held the first full week of August, is an annual celebration of the vital role that farmers markets play in our nation’s food system. McHenry County is fortunate to have many farmers markets running over the weekend, during the week, in the mornings as well as evenings, and a few that run year-round.
Our farmers markets offer a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce, meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods, and prepared foods. They are also a great place to find unique crafts, art, home decor, gifts, other handmade items, plants, and flowers.
In addition to providing fresh, healthy food, farmers markets also support local economies and help to build our community. Many also bring in kids activities, food vendors, and live entertainment, they are also a great place to meet up with friends and neighbors.
National Farmers Market Week
— August 6 – 12 —
During this year’s National Farmers Market Week, we wanted to ask, “How many McHenry County farmers markets have you visited?” Sure, it’s easier to go to your closest market, but you might be missing out.
So we also wanted to challenge you to see how many markets you can get to this year.
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Ok, we have a lot of farmers markets to get to in one week, so go ahead and extend it across the month of August. This also lets us include a couple of markets that are only held once a month. To help you out, we’ve compiled the local markets, by day of week, which you can find below.
Shopping at farmers markets can be a little overwhelming, especially if you’re used to the convenience of supermarket shopping. The most important thing is to just relax and take your time. Here are some tips to make your farmers market shopping experience a success:
- Plan your visit in advance. This will help you decide which markets you want to visit and what time you want to go.
- Speaking of time…go early. The early bird catches the worm, in this case, the freshest produce. Arrive early when the selection is plentiful.
- Bring a reusable bag. This is a great way to reduce waste and support the environment.
- Come prepared. Bring a list of what you’re looking for and the amount you need. Also, consider bringing a cooler, especially if you plan on purchasing meat, dairy, or other perishable items.
- Be prepared to spend some time browsing. There are often a lot of vendors at farmers markets, so it can take some time to find everything you’re looking for.
- Be sure you have cash. Many vendors accept credit cards, but there’s no guarantee. Bring plenty of small bills and change as some vendors may not have change for large bills.
- Talk to the vendors. They’re the experts on their products, and they’re always happy to answer questions.
- Sample some of the food. Many vendors offer samples, so you can try before you buy.
- Be adventurous. Farmers markets often offer unique and hard-to-find produce that supermarkets don’t carry. Experiment with new flavors and try something new.
- Have fun! Farmers markets are a great way to support local agriculture and meet new people.
Pre-National Farmers Market Week Kickoff
Get a jump on the week by stopping at this brand-new farmers market in Johnsburg. Since it only takes place on the first Saturday of the month, it just misses National Farmers Market Week by a day, but don’t let that stop you!
Remington Farm Farmers Market in Johnsburg
Sunday Farmers Markets
Cary Farmers Market
The Cary Farmers Market is hosted by the Cary-Grove Rotary Club and is conveniently held in downtown Cary in the Metra Station parking lot.
Address: Cary Metra Station Parking Lot, Cary, IL 60013
Times: Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm
Dates: June 4, 2023 – September 24, 2023
Information: Details
Open Air Farmers Market+ At The Dole
Located outside The Dole, it combines farmers, artists, and entertainers, with food & drinks.
Address: The Dole, 401 Country Club Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Times: Sundays, 10 am – 2 pm
Dates: May 28, 2023 – October 29, 2023 (except 6/25 & 7/2)
Tuesday Farmers Markets
Fox Lake Farmers Market
Located in downtown Fox Lake.
Address: 17 E. School Ct. Fox Lake, IL 60020
Times: Tuesdays, 3 pm – 7 pm
Dates: June 6, 2023 – August 29, 2023 (except 7/4)
Information: Details
McHenry Life Farmers Market Guide
Love farmers markets?
Be sure to check out and bookmark our guide to McHenry farmers markets.
We update it throughout the year. We think it’s SUPER and we hope you will too.
Woodstock’s Tuesday Farmers Market
Woodstock holds two farmers markets around the historic Woodstock Square. The Tuesday Farmers Market provides a less-crowded opportunity for your farmers market shopping. It is a traditional “producers-only market,” where everything offered by the vendors must be grown or produced directly by the vendor.
Location: 121 W Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Times: Tuesdays, 8 am – 1 pm
Dates: June 6, 2023 – September 26, 2023
Thursday Farmers Markets
Pearl Street Market in McHenry
No time on the weekends and can’t make a market during the day? You’re in luck. The Pearl Street Market in McHenry is held in the evening at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Definitely bring a cooler for your purchases so you can stay for the concert series that follows the market, usually from 7 pm – 9:30 pm.
Location: 3400 Pearl Street, McHenry, IL 60050
Times: Thursdays, 5 pm – 7:00 pm
Dates: May 18, 2023 – September 14, 2023
Information: Details
Saturday Farmers Markets
Downtown Crystal Lake’s Farmers Market
Worried about shopping on an empty stomach? Then grab breakfast first at one of the restaurants in downtown Crystal Lake before strolling over to Depot Park near the Metra Station. Or take in an early lunch before hitting the market and the downtown shops. There’s often live entertainment or kids’ activities held in the gazebo during the farmers market.
Address: Depot Park, 90 E Woodstock St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Times: Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm
Dates: June 17, 2023 – September 30, 2023
Huntley Farmers Market
Enjoy starting of your day in downtown Huntley with this market held around the Huntley Town Square.
Address: Coral St & N Church St, Huntley, IL 60142
Times: Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm
Dates: May 27, 2023 – October 14, 2023
Information: Details
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Woodstock’s Saturday Farmers Market
This is Woodstock’s other farmers market, which is also held around the historic Woodstock Square. Like other downtown markets, this is a great one for getting up early and making a day of it, with breakfast in one of the restaurants, shopping the market, listening to some music, and then hitting local shops that are open, followed by lunch, of course! This is also a “producers-only market,” which means that everything offered by the vendors must be grown or produced directly by the vendor.
Address: 121 W Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Times: Saturdays 8 am – 1 pm
Dates: April 29, 2023 – October 28, 2023
Information: Details
Post-National Farmers Market Week
Once National Farmers Market Week is over, don’t forget to swing by the Spring Grove Farmers Market, which is another once-a-month market and is held on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
Spring Grove Farmers Market
This market takes place one day a month on the third Saturday, so be sure to mark it on your calendar!
Address: 7401 Meyer Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081
Times: 3rd Saturday, 8 am – 12 pm
Dates: May 20, 2023 – October 21, 2023
Information: Details
Some benefits of shopping at farmers markets:
- Get fresh, seasonal produce that’s been picked at the peak of ripeness.
- Support local farmers and businesses.
- Learn about where your food comes from.
- Meet your neighbors and build community.
- Have a fun and enjoyable shopping experience.
We hope this encourages you to get out and try at least one or two farmers markets that are new to you or that you haven’t visited for some time. Living in McHenry County, we are fortunate to have so many markets to choose from.
No matter what time of year, you can always check out Farmers Market Guide for details on the McHenry County farmers markets.
Note: Please consult the respective informational sources for the most current information as details may have changed since publication or update.
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President and Founder of Identity Developments, LLC, the parent company of the McHenry Life website. My hope for McHenry Life is to create a resource and destination for the residents and businesses of McHenry County alike. A place where residents can discover new places to explore, fun events and ways to spend time, and then share those experiences with others. A place where businesses can connect with existing and potential customers, and not simply market their businesses, but share their own unique stories.
