STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO – On any summer Saturday, the focal point of a downtown shopping tour will likely be the Farmers Market between Sixth and Eighth streets along Yampa Street.

Colorado’s agricultural heritage runs deep, and despite the long winters, summer’s harvests are bountiful. Homegrown tomatoes, greens, vegetables and fruits, pies, cheese, wine, jellies, salsas, hand-wrapped tamales, and of course, Colorado beef and bison
are available seasonally. Sweet juicy peaches from Palisade’s famed orchards, fresh-baked European-style breads and pastries and fresh Alaskan fish are also among the reasons for planning weekly meals around the Farmers Market.

If you don’t have access to a local kitchen, you can still grab a peach or pastry, barbecue or a crepe, fresh-squeezed limeade or an ice cream and relax in the shade alongside the Yampa River.

Or take home a souvenir: the Farmers Market also features local artwork, clothing, baskets, coffee and jewelry. There are hats, too, in case you didn’t realize how hot the high-altitude sun can be.

The Farmers Market is open Saturdays, June 5 – Sept. 18. Hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m, although early visitors might be able to pick up a cup of coffee and a pastry. The market is operating in accordance with Routt County COVID protocols, which are changing rapidly. Most likely the number of shoppers in the market at any one time will be controlled at the entrance. Other restrictions may be in place. For the latest updates, visit www.MainStreetSteamboat.com/farmers-market/