Farmers Market

This weekend was another perfect reminder of why I love living in North Iowa.

Saturday morning started at the Mason City Farmers Market. (And a quick reminder – they’re there every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon!) From there, we headed over to our neighboring community of Clear Lake, where they also host a Farmers Market every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

At both markets, we were greeted by familiar faces, caught up with friends, and had great conversations with people we hadn’t seen in a while. That’s one of the things I love most about living here – you never know who you’ll run into.

One of my favorite stops was the Twisted Farms booth. Their vegetables literally looked like pieces of art. Everything was so fresh, colorful, and absolutely perfect. If you’ve never been to the Mason City Farmers Market, it’s definitely worth a visit.

What always amazes me is the variety. Of course, you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, but that’s just the beginning. There are homemade baked goods galore – sourdough bread (which seems to be having quite a moment right now), pies, cookies, bars, granola, and so much more. You’ll also find handmade soaps, lotions, bath salts, artwork, crafts, and unique gifts. Honestly, the list is nearly endless.

The atmosphere is what really makes these markets special. Both Mason City and Clear Lake had live music playing while people wandered from booth to booth. It’s entertainment, shopping, and community all wrapped into one – and it’s free to attend.

After the markets, we did something we’ve never done before. We grabbed a couple of drinks and sat on the porch at Surf Galley. in the Surf District in Clear Lake and just enjoyed the afternoon. With the bright blue skies, beautiful clouds, and perfect temperatures we’ve had all week, it honestly felt like we were on vacation.

Moments like these remind me over and over why I love North Iowa. We have incredible local businesses, talented artists, hardworking farmers, and communities that truly support one another. That’s something worth celebrating.

And if we want these farmers markets to continue growing – if we want more vendors, more variety, and more opportunities to support local entrepreneurs – we need to show up. We need to shop local, support local, and invest in the people who make our communities special.

At Lee Realty, being local isn’t just a slogan. It’s who we are. It’s why we love what we do. And weekends like this are a great reminder of all the reasons North Iowa is such a wonderful place to call home.