Farmers market move a massive success

SANDUSKY — The Sandusky Farmers Market, produced by Greater Sandusky Partnership and supported by the city of Sandusky and Firelands Health, made its season debut on Saturday, June 13, drawing almost 1,200 visits to its 2026 location on Columbus Avenue. Nearly 80 vendors were set up on opening day, and the event was the first Sandusky Farmers Market occurring on the newly reconstructed Columbus Avenue streetscape. The market is located within the 100 and 200 blocks, and vehicular traffic isn't allowed during market times and days. The market generated 1,173 visits, almost three times more than the average attendance per market in 2025, according to a visitation analysis conducted by the Greater Sandusky Partnership Policy Center. Visitors traveled from 32 communities across five states while 70 % of attendees originated from within 10 miles of downtown Sandusky. The average visitor spent 55 minutes at the market, creating opportunities to shop with vendors, visit surrounding businesses and experience downtown. Moving the farmers market to Columbus Avenue — from nearby Washington Row where it operated in prior years — was made possible through the city of Sandusky's investment in the streetscape. Through a contract for services agreement with the city, the partnership produces community programming — including the farmers market, Party at the Pier and other events — designed to activate public spaces and enhance quality of life. Speaking up Many people spoke about the significance of the market: • John Orzech, Sandusky city manager: The farmers market has long been an important weekly event for Sandusky, and we're happy to see it continue to grow each year. We are hopeful that its new location on Columbus Avenue will allow it to continue to thrive enhance the patron experience while also benefiting nearby local businesses. We appreciate (the) Greater Sandusky Partnership and their partners, vendors and sponsors for all the work that goes into making it a success. • Eric Wobser, Greater Sandusky Partnership CEO: Columbus Avenue provided a beautiful backdrop for the market and created an experience people were excited to be part of. The city's investment in this corridor has created a space that naturally brings people together, and opening day showed the potential of what can happen when a great public space is paired with strong community programming. While visitation data tells part of the story, vendors say the atmosphere and sense of community created by the coordinating team are equally important to the event's success. Michelle Kodak, co-owner of Once Upon a Time Confections, shared the following: "The happiness and joy you all exude is contagious. You are an incredible team, and I want you to know I see and benefit from all that you do to really make this market amazing." The impact was also felt by downtown businesses surrounding the event. Kimberly Gill, owner of Sandusky Scoops, shared her perspective: "The farmers market's move to Columbus Avenue is a win for both vendors and local businesses. At Sandusky Scoops, we've seen a 35% increase in Saturday sales compared to last summer, highlighting how important the market is in driving customers and supporting our downtown economy. Behind the scenes, months of planning went into preparing for opening day. "We knew people were curious about the new location, but seeing the market come to life exceeded our expectations," said Rachael Summerfield, the partnership's community events coordinator and organizer of the farmers market. "From the moment vendors began setting up, there was excitement in the air. The layout worked beautifully, vendors had room to grow, and visitors embraced the opportunity to experience the market in a new way." The market and other community events "help connect people to place," said McKenzie Spriggs, the partnership's senior director of destination management. "These experiences support our downtown small businesses and really showcase what makes Sandusky special. There was a lot of energy on Columbus Avenue on (that) Saturday, and the response shows there's a strong appetite for events like this." Want to go? The Sandusky Farmers Market will continue every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon, through Oct 31 on Columbus Avenue in downtown Sandusky. It will feature local farmers, food producers, artisans, makers and community organizations. The partnership extends its gratitude to the city of Sandusky, market vendors, sponsors, downtown businesses and visitors whose support made opening day possible. People can follow the Sandusky Farmers Market at facebook.com/sanduskyfarmersmarket or contact the Greater Sandusky Partnership, at greatersandusky.com, for more information.