Heading to the Country Market? Here's What You'll Find

Oswego’s Country Market provides a place to purchase locally grown produce and a location that encourages you to linger with your neighbors and get to know some of the vendors.

This year’s market will be bigger than ever, said Linda Wilson, superintendent of communications at Oswegoland Park District.

In addition to locally grown produce, vendors will offer naturally raised beef, pork, and chicken, delicious Wisconsin cheese, Michigan blueberries, and all sorts of specialty food items.

Oswego’s Country Market runs Sunday mornings 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from June 5 to Sept. 25 and is located in downtown Oswego in the parking lot between and the .

The park district’s vision for the market is to promote a healthy community by providing fresh food and healthy food items, said Wilson. However, the market continues to grow and serve the community in new ways, expanding to support local artisans and community groups.

The market provides a really nice relaxed atmosphere to come and chat with your neighbors, said Wilson. Concessions have really caught on and various vendors provide omelets fresh to order, fresh mini-doughnuts, popcorn and ice-cream. Many people come, grab a cup of coffee from and hang out with friends, said Wilson.

At today's Country Market, the Rotary Club will sell ducks for the Duck Race held during weekend June 16-19. Kendall County Master Gardeners will be available to answer any of your gardening questions.

In addition to fresh food, many local crafters also participate in the market.

Janis Steel brings her business, Jewels by Jazzy, to the market for the first time this year. She said she is excited to participate because she “loves the personal contact between patrons and vendors.”

Jewels by Jazzy offers handmade pop can jewelry and accessories made from up-cycled pop cans.

“It takes approximately 300 years to break down an aluminum beverage can and this is a fun and fashionable way to ‘up-cycle’ pop cans,” Steel said.

Rita Lippoldt of Tranquility Base Candles is participating in the market for the second year and will offer a variety of 100% soy candles, reed diffusers and bath salts.

“The Market brings the community a sense of times gone by where one can buy local fresh produce, home baked goods and crafts that are made here with TLC,” she said.

2011 marks the 11th year that the has sponsored Oswego’s Country Market. Prior to 2004, the and volunteers were running the event.

Those  interested in participating in the Country Market – as a vendor or representing a nonprofit organization – contact Linda Wilson at (630) 554-4433 or at lwilson@oswegolandpd.org

Like the Country Market on Facebook and to receive updates on new vendors and the community groups participating in the market.

The following is a list of this year's vendors with links to their websites.

Returning vendors:

• Norway Farms
• Blue Freedom Produce
• KAP Farms, Algonquin IL
• Windy Acres, Geneva IL
• Stamper Cheese Co., Chicago IL
• Olives 4 You, Wheaton IL
• Carmelita’s Creations, Bristol IL
• Sweet Sensations, Sandwich IL
• The Olive Tap, Downers Grove IL
• Tastebudz, Oswego IL
• Grandma & Pa’s Concession
• Mik’s Tasty Bites, Oswego IL
• Shoomee’s Flowers, Plainfield IL
• Wiggle Waggles, North Aurora IL
• Big Fat Soap, Sugar Grove IL
• Berniece Kerwin, Oswego IL
• Cleta’s Quilts, Oswego IL
• Gallery’s Choice, Downers Grove IL
• Weaving Peace
• Stitches ‘n Stuff, Sandwich IL
• Tranquility Candles, Oswego IL
• The Cutting Edge, Oswego IL
• Glitzy ‘lil Gems

New Vendors:

• Gourmet on the Go, Minooka IL
• Homemade Gourmet, Big Rock IL
• En Joi Bake Shop, Channahan IL
• Ferndell Farms, Newark IL
• Moon Farms, Oswego IL
• ROS Farms, Yorkville IL
• Planet Tomek, Plainfield IL
• Jewels by Jazzy, Newark IL
• Mr. Spanky’s 
• Montgomery Popcorn Co.
• White Water Ice Cream