Madison Night Market is awesome! So uniquely different than the Farmers Market. This is more of a…read morelocal business market. Planned for 5 or 6 Thursday nights throughout the summer months. Lots of deals on merch and food plus lots of street entertainment. Enjoyable for the visitors and great for the businesses. Tried many foods and looked at merchandise of so many businesses that I had never been in, or maybe ever would have, if it weren't for this event.

It has been a couple of years since we were downtown on a Thursday night when this market was going…read moreon. We were downtown for another event and decided to check out the market. From the Capitol to the Library mall there were booths set up along the way. Frankly I thought there would be alot more. There were a few musical acts/ buskers too. On one of the side streets they had a number of food trucks. Given all of the hype about this reoccurring event I was expecting more. It was OK - for me no need to make a special trip for this market.

This place is a little gem! They have wonderful coffee and always friendly staff. You can do some…read moreshopping for local foods and gifts. The sandwiches are so good and very reasonably priced. They also have hot ham and rolls on select Sundays that I can't wait to try!

Quality made local candles, jewelry, wine, spirits, food, etc…read more Great location to find gifts for yourself and others. I was disappointed the mini chicken tacos were heated up and not homemade. Not tasty. The salsa served was in a Heinz portion control pack. Not homemade. Pricey. Broccoli cheddar soup was not homemade. Thick cheese sauce consistency. Pricey. Disappointed since all other items sold at the store are quality items.

Blink and you'll miss it…read more While I appreciate having a local farmer's market, the limited selection of products is going to make it difficult for this farmer's market to ever achieve critical mass. There are only six stands this year (three vegetable, one honey, one bread and one garlic and onions). The produce quality is hit and miss (sweet-smelling melons and fresh sweet corn were the highlights, the zeppelin-sized cukes and kohlrabi as big as your head looked pretty sad). At this week's market, there was not much in the way of fresh herbs, greens or hot peppers. While you can pick up a couple of items, you'll still need to go to the grocery store to complete your menu. While the location offers high viability, the sound of traffic rushing by doesn't create much in the way of ambiance. I wonder if moving the market to the more shaded Village Park would create a better atmosphere? I know I'm spoiled by the Dane County Farmers Market and something of that scale is never going to happen in Waunakee. Even something half the size of the Hilldale Farmers Market would be nice.

To Matt W.; First…read moreand foremost I would like to thank you for stopping by the Waunakee Farmers Market. Unfortunately the limited selection of products is not only due to the fact that there has been drought for more than two years now and farmers are finding it hard to find ways to keep their produce watered. Have you seen the corn fields lately? They are drying up and that is not suppose to happen until fall? Can you now imagine what the produce is looking like? And second the limited selection actually means that the vendors can make some money at the market unlike the HUGE markets out there. There is only a certain amount of parking for the vendors and to be honest I limit my market for the simple reason that I actually care about my vendors and hope that they make money coming to my market. And there are not only six stands this year- sorry but I don't know where you got that information from? I have six produce vendors alone, one honey vendor, one bakery vendor, one jewelry vendor, and had an asparagus vendor in the spring time. Maybe you did not walk completely around to see this. Produce is hit and miss only because the true farmers wait until they have it ready for the market patrons. So if something was missing, it most likely was not ready yet. As far as the over sized produce, did you take the time to ask the vendor what exactly it was? Because the kohlrabi as big as your head is actually suppose to be just that. It is a high breed and is guaranteed not woody like your normal sized ones. That is why that vendor grows them. As far as fresh greens, herbs, and hot peppers, I have two vendors who have fresh herbs, greens and almost all my vendors have hot peppers. Maybe the patron needs to actually walk around the market and look at what my vendors have on their tables. And as far as going to the grocery store, you will always have to go to the grocery store because the market can not sell soda, or milk, or processed foods per regulations from the State. I never seem to have a problem finding what I needed for a meal unless it was those items. I too wondered about moving the market to a different location only to find out that years ago it was in the park and my vendors did not make money there. So they asked the Waun-a-Bowl if they can park there because it was on a main hwy way. Thus brought them more income. If patrons are so worried about the atmosphere they would not come out period. I for sure would not go to the Madison market now since people are up there rioting because that is not a great atmosphere either right now. As far as having a bigger market, I am sorry to say this but that is not going to happen. I have been market manager for eight years now and I care about my vendors to know that if it gets too big, they don't make money. I want my vendors to make money. And that is not all that easy either when you have vendors who want to give this market a shot and then quit on me after two or three weeks. The vendor has to stick it out as well. They have to gain the trust of the patron. Several of my vendors have been with this market since day one, and have continued to show me they want to come back every year no matter how tough it gets. So as far as this market goes, I would say it has ran pretty good considering it has been around for more than 16 years. It is there for anyone looking for great, locally grown food, and friendly vendors. I have yet to met someone not friendly at my market. And I am so thankful that my vendors are loyal to this market. So it may lack something that you did not find there, it has plenty of produce for the next patron. And I sincerely hope that your posting didn't ruin it for the next patron of the market. Sincerely, Cheryl Lohry Market Manager

The is a much easier to get around farmers market than the one downtown. The vendor selection for…read morethe size of it is great. Bloom bake shop is a constant fixture for some pastries, some being vegan&gluten free. There are few options for vegetables. I love getting fresh tomatoes here. Cher's garden has beautiful options for bouquets and very friendly! Finding vegan and gluten-free macarons was an awesome surprise. Something for everyone.

A small but very lovely farmers market. All the vendors were so welcoming and invited you to camp…read moreout in their tents during a summer rain. We loved the vendor who gave us a "rain" discount on his truly unique photography. Would go again, even in the rain :)

Awesome market! Great vendors! So glad to have it back in the neighborhood! Live music every week.read more

Love the kids events, music and vendors. Always great food selection and none of the hassle of…read moredowntown market.

I stopped at Dane County holiday market at the Monona Terrace. I got to pick up a copy of the new…read moreDane County Farmers' Market cookbook and a few other treats from some of the vendors. Loved the apple pie from Stella's bakery and the Brussels sprout stalk from Olden Organics. I am looking forward to trying out some of these recipes for my family Christmas party. I recommend this cookbook to anyone who loves cooking or food. The holiday market is only there for a short timeframe so check it out if you can!