Beautiful Land Market pops up in downtown Ames Sunday to kickoff market season
Sundays in Ames are set to receive a bit of a jolt.
With more than 50 vintage and handmade vendors, live music and food trucks, Beautiful Land Market kicks off its series of outdoor pop-ups May 7 in the downtown Fareway parking lot.
The markets are free and open to the public, with options for the entire family, and even pets, Beautiful Land co-director Jody Bergan Bennett said.
“We’ve had a great response to our series of pop-up markets at the downtown Ames Fareway parking lot since we kicked off this collaboration in 2021," Bergan Bennett said.
The pop-ups provide a platform for entrepreneurial growth. For example, Life Distilled, an apothecary with a storefront on Ames’ Main Street, saw its business grow with participation at markets like Beautiful Land.
“We have a very talented line-up of seasoned vendors and emerging creators and look forward to bringing people together once again to encourage the community to shop small and explore our wonderful downtown and Main Street businesses,” said Andrew Kingsbury, co-director of Beautiful Land.
Beautiful Land features a local nonprofit, live music
Des Moines musician Lauren Ashworth of Day's Live Music will perform from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with free market tote bags given to the first 100 visitors.
The market will feature Mother's Day gifts created by core members of Friendship Ark for a free will donation. Friendship Ark is an Ames-based nonprofit that helps adults with intellectual disabilities by providing homes and community services.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the core members to interact with the community and aligns with our goal to help members reach their fullest potential through faith, family and friendship,” said Beth Lucht, Friendship Ark’s recruiter and scheduler.
Where and when will Beautiful Land Market be held?
This season’s series of outdoor markets will be held the first Sunday of each month in the Fareway parking lot at 619 Burnett Ave. Parking will be available in nearby lots, streets and on Main Street.
The market’s hours run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
With the exception of July, the markets will continue the first weekend of each month through October on June 4, Aug. 6, Sept. 3 and Oct. 1
Who are the sponsors of Beautiful Land Market?
“Events like ours help set creative entrepreneurs and small businesses up for success," Kingsbury said. "We also want to express our thanks to the community-minded local businesses who have stepped up to sponsor and support our events,"
The pop-up market series is sponsored by Nook & Nest, Della Viti Wine Bar, Prints Copy Center, Kearney, Glotfelty, Porter, and Kearney Dental Office, Renee Klaus of Hunziker Realty, Clayton Farms, Rippke Design and Oak Land Candle Co.
Wilson Toyota of Ames and The Iowan Magazine are sponsoring the free market bags and Studio 7 Salon & Spa sponsors the live music.
More: Linda Tong is Iowa's own TikTok bullet journaling star behind a six-figure company
What vendors can I find at Beautiful Land Market on May 7?
More than 40 vendors are scheduled to be present at this Sunday’s Beautiful Land Market, along with food trucks and live music.
Ronna Faaborg covers business, education and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rlawless@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: With vintage and handmade vendors, Beautiful Land comes to Ames Sunday
