Eagle Magazine

Every Saturday from the first weekend of May until the end of October, a small part of downtown Eagle transforms into a bustling, lively Farmers Market, complete with produce stalls, fresh baked goods, artisan displays, and live music at the Heritage Park gazebo. Started by the Eagle Arts Commission eight years ago, the Eagle City Market has experienced a 20% growth rate over the past four years, providing a pleasant, community centered shopping experience for locals and visitors alike. With an average of 58 vendors each week, the market is second in size only to the Boise Farmers Market in the Treasure Valley.

Much of the market’s success can be credited to market manager Dean Burrup, who embraced the Eagle Arts Commission’s goals to coordinate, strengthen and promote public programs within the city to further cultural development. The market also helps to drive customers to brick and mortar downtown businesses. “Local artists and craftsmen know about the market because it has an excellent reputation,” Burrup says, adding that many of the market’s vendors live right here in Eagle. “Every year, between 40-50% of our vendors are new, providing the community with an influx of new artists.

Burrup stresses that the Eagle City Market tries not to turn anyone away as long as they meet the market’s criteria, which is that they must have grown, produced, or made the product they offer. “We don’t allow vendors who do wholesale buying and resale, nor do we allow existing businesses with permanent locations, like Costco, to participate,” he says.

The prospect of purchasing farm-grown, local produce is a draw for the market’s customers. The market promotes buying locally, from local produce, to arts and crafts. This year, free cooking classes will also be offered to shoppers, focusing on preparing simple, healthy meals with fresh, local ingredients. Linda Butler, owner of Second Avenue and an Eagle Arts Commissioner, was instrumental in creating this educational opportunity. Two half-hour, hands-on cooking classes will be offered with chef Cordel Knight at 10 am and 12 pm every Saturday. Butler is excited about the new classes. “We want the market to be a gathering place in the community where people feel it’s their market,” she says.

Among the vendors, one of the more popular “old-timers” is Ira Powers of Powers Artisan Bakery in Parma. He looks forward to traveling the 40 minutes to Eagle every Saturday, where he sells artisan breads, honey, and fresh produce. “The Eagle Market has a less structured, more positive atmosphere than some other markets in the Valley,” he says, without naming names. “Your regular customers become almost like an extended family.  t’s so different from the supermarket experience. I’m excited to see my customers. It’s just fun.”

As an Eagle resident and mother of three children under age four, vendor Annya Dethman appreciates the market’s proximity to her home. The former owner of Good Scents Herb Nursery in Meridian, Annya decided to downsize a few years ago and now sells live herbs ready for garden transplant each week, as well as fresh cut herbs and heirloom vegetables, including 25 varieties of tomato. “I love experiencing the support of the local community,” she says.

Burrup notes that the Eagle City Market is the only city-run farmer’s market in the Treasure Valley, resulting in significantly lower vendor fees for participants. The market costs only $25 per weekend, and unlike most markets, vendors may choose to purchase a single weekend rather than signing up for the entire season. Because no extended contracts are required, artists can use the market as an inexpensive way to test their products and refine their pricing structure. A young artists’ booth this year will provide students with an opportunity to learn to market their arts and crafts while interacting with customers. Simple vendor forms are available at eaglearts.org.

One of the market’s most attractive features is its peaceful, enjoyable ambience. It’s a low pressure environment, meaning that the 1000-1200 people who typically visit the market each week can enjoy the experience. “We’re trying to create an outlet for growers and craftsmen that’s conducive to art,” Burrup says. “It never feels crowded. The market has a good feel, and it’s a fun environment.”

The gazebo at Heritage Park provides a place for market patrons to relax and enjoy live music and performances, provided by local artists including students from the Eagle Performing Arts Center and ArtsWest Academy. The vast majority of the performers are professional musicians, providing the level of entertainment that you could easily expect to pay for. A Fine Art Fair will also be held this year in the park on July 10-12, including a juried art show.

This year the market will provide an information booth for Eagle residents, where the city can disseminate information to the public. Burrup hopes that public officials will use the booth as an informal forum to address resident concerns. “It’s a satisfying endeavor for me,” Burrup says. “People come up and shake my hand and say ‘this is great, we really enjoy this!’ Vendors tell me the same thing.”

For Burrup, who took over the market’s management when his daughter, the former manager, left for graduate school, that interaction with customers and vendors makes all his efforts worth it. “The market is for you, for the city, for the community,” he says. “We want you to enjoy it. I often think about what life was like here 75 years ago—I hope we can create that same sense of community today. Bigger is not always better.”

"Your regular customers become almost like an extended family. It’s so different from the supermarket experience.”—Ira Powers, Eagle City Market vendor
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The Eagle City Market is held every Saturday from 8 am to 1:30 pm, beginning the first weekend in May and running through the end of October. For more information, visit eaglearts.org.