Final Alton Farmers' and Artisans' Market for 2026 Planned for This Weekend

Alton Main Street’s Chili Cook-Off and final Farmers and Artisans Market

ALTON - The final Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market of the 2026 season promises to be one of the best.

From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at the corner of Landmarks Blvd. and Henry Street in Alton, Alton Main Street will host their final market of the 24-week season. Community members are invited to come down and shop local vendors. The market will also feature a ticketed goat yoga class, complete with a pen where you can pet baby goats free of charge throughout the morning.

“Everything is handmade or homegrown,” said Sara McGibany, executive director of Alton Main Street. “It is your last chance to come stock up on all your seasonal veggies. We’ve got apples, squash, all kinds of wonderful things that are pretty shelf-stable that you can stock up on in the coming month. Of course, you want to pick up your Halloween pumpkin from one of the local farmers. They grow it themselves right here within a 50-mile radius.”

All farmers and artisans come from within 50 miles to sell their wares at the market on Saturday mornings from May through October. McGibany said it has been a successful season, with lots of fun for all ages.

She is especially looking forward to the goat yoga event on Oct. 17, which is always a popular offering. Tickets are available online. The class starts at 9 a.m., and attendees will enjoy yoga with baby goats. McGibany promises it will be cute and enjoyable.

Shoppers appreciate the chance to buy from local farmers and makers, but the market is equally special for these local businesses. McGibany described the market as “a small business incubator,” allowing vendors to test out their ideas and grow their followings on a smaller scale before they move to a permanent location.

“Each one of these little tents is a fledgling business, so many of them are growing up and getting into our existing brick-and-mortar shops. Some of them are getting too big for the market and signing leases of their own to start brick-and-mortar businesses out in the community,” she added. “We’re providing opportunities to people to do what they love.”

The Alton Main Street team hopes to welcome a big crowd to the final Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market of the year. For more information, click here or visit the official Alton Main Street website.

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