East Dundee’s Saturday Depot Market is hoping to lure more vendors this year by giving free booth space to produce, plant or flower sellers and cutting the $500 vendor fee in half if it’s paid before the May 9 start date.
The goal is to draw in a larger variety of vendors, which in turn could increase attendance, Dundee Township Visitor’s Center manager Bill Zelsdorf said.
“You need fresh, new ideas to make the market healthier and this year this is our fresh, new idea,” Zelsdorf said. “Markets can change. You find out what works and what doesn’t work and that’s where you make your decision on change.”
The event has been around for about 30 years, run by members of the visitor’s center. Among the items sold are antiques and collectibles, locally grown produce, plants and flowers, baked goods, jewelry, soaps, and yard and garden items.
The market is held at the visitor’s center, also known as The Depot, 319 N. River St. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from the beginning of May through the end of October.
“We’re really pushing harder this year to get the word out and get more vendors and get more customers,” Zelsdorf said.
A single booth costs $20 a week or $500 for the 25-week season. That will cut in half for anyone who pays in advance, Zelsdorf said.
“This is a big change,” he said. “Yet it’s an option that could be a win-win for the market and the vendors and the customers. And there is still the option of paying week by week.”
Additionally, vendors or residents selling produce, plants or flowers get free booth space. They are limited to those items, however.
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“A vendor that’s selling plants can’t have plants and antiques at their booth,” Zelsdorf said.
For the 2020 season, Hoof, Woof & Meow Animal Rescue, located in Gilberts, will have animals available for adoption from 8 a.m. to noon every third Saturday from May to August.
Educators from the Elgin Public Museum will be at the market from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every second Saturday from June through September to offer free mini-programs for families.
Local author and historian Phillip Aleo also returns to conduct history talks and walking tours at 11 a.m. July 25 and Aug. 29.
The first tour’s topics will include the original Haeger House on Hill Street, The Visitor Center, East Dundee Village Hall and Rosie O’Hare’s Public House. The second tour will feature Immanuel Lutheran Church, United Methodist Church and St. James Episcopal Church.
The cost is $5 per person, $8 per couple and $10 per family, which includes one tour booklet souvenir per family.
Also back this year is the Largest Tomato Contest, set for Aug. 22, and the Decorated and Carved Pumpkin Contest on Oct. 31. Both begin at noon.
As for further initiatives, “we’re open to suggestions all the time,” Zelsdorf said.
“Everything doesn’t just fall into place and work,” he said. “You have to work at it. But we must be doing something right to have lasted this long. I like to think so anyway.”
Vendor should contact Zelsdorf at 847-426-2255 or [email protected].
Erin Sauder is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.