 The Festival City Farmer’s Market is the biggest and the longest running farmer’s market in Cedar City. Come and see the reasons why the FCFM continues to grow and bring weekly visitors on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Food The most magical part of the Festival Farmer’s Market is finding some delicious new food to bring home with your favorite weekly food purchase. Every visit reveals an opportunity for the foodie to fill their bag full of fresh fruits and vegetables, a homemade pastry, artisanal bread, fresh farm salsa or jam. Come get your bag of salad greens, macarons, refreshing specialty drinks, seasonal fruit, or a gourmet cookie from market bakers. Stop for street tacos or preserves and don’t forget to visit one of the food trucks.  The Farmers FCFM has anywhere from 5-10 regional farmer vendors on Wednesday and Saturday each week. Meet the growers at Nature Hills Farms, Marigold Gardens, Lindy, and others to learn where and how your food is grown. Market farmers love to share their journey, their process, and their tips. They recognize you when you return to their booth and are passionate about the food they grow organically. Supporting local food providers means you get to create nourishing relationships with food providers while getting high nutrient-rich food that has been picked within days. The Artisans Around 30 artisans including jewelers, potters, painters, textile artists, and creative makers are selling their wares. The FCFM is the perfect spot to find a unique piece of jewelry or home decor that is locally made. There is a gift for almost everyone on your list and an eclectic mix of beautiful items to browse and add to a wish list. Soaps, art, books, blankets, handcrafted leather items and hand-sewn tote bags can all be found at the biweekly market.  Live Music – Adding to the ambiance, musicians are invited to play at both the Wednesday and Saturday markets. In fact, the market is large enough to feature two musical groups on both ends of the market. Acoustic musicians can be found singing, strumming a guitar, or playing a variety of musical styles. Bring your change; they are good enough that you will want to tip them.
DON’T MISS OUT – With two different festival markets each week, there is no excuse to not stock up on your favorite sourdough or vine-ripened veggies. If you sleep in Saturday and miss out on the weekend market, take a stroll through the market on a Wednesday evening and grab a bite to eat or replenish your fruit for the week. Or, go both days to enjoy some live music and the charming small town vibe in downtown Cedar City.
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Whether it is strolling through a downtown market, window shopping or finding fine art galleries, many downtown Cedar spots can be enjoyed for free. But we suggest bringing your wallet just in case you discover your new favorite find at one of these five free things to do in Cedar City.
Feast for the Senses A strolling destination full of handcrafted wares, fresh food and street musicians, the outdoor Festival City Farmer’s Market on Wednesday evenings from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. has free entry. The FCFM is located in the heart of Cedar City on 100 West University Boulevard. The market is feast for the senses with a full block of bright freshly-grown fruits and veggies and colorful artisanal offerings, music for the ears and delicious freshly cooked food from the food vendors. Local Art Artisan’s Art Gallery is a hub for community artists and artisans featuring a variety of art including painting, sculpture, ceramics, and woodworking. A visit to this gallery is an experience in feeling the artistic heartbeat of Cedar City. Entry is free but the gallery is full of art and craftsman work for sale. Take home a new find or get your art bucket list started at Artisans located on 94 West Center. Hours vary. Song and Dance Find a patch of grass at the Ashton Family Greenshow Commons to watch free family-friendly outdoor entertainment at the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Greenshow. Enjoy a 30 minute show featuring singing, dancing, and storytelling each week Monday-Saturday, June 1 to September 9 at 7:10 p.m. Choose one of this season’s three theme nights – The Hills of Appalachian, English Regency Garden Party or Paiute Heritage and Celebration. See the calendar at bard.org for details. Window Shopping Wander into some of downtown Cedar’s most charming shops. At 97 W. Center Street, don’t miss The Navajo Crafting Co. where authentic and handcrafted Navajo jewerley is on display along with Pendleton Chief Joseph Blankets. Or, visit Bulloch Drug on Main Street that carries everything from homegoods to clothing to souvenirs. Fine Art Museum Southern Utah Museum of Art on the Southern Utah University campus next to the Utah Shakespeare Festival features year round rotating exhibits from local artists, SUU staff and faculty, and fine art from around the country. Their permanent collection includes the body of work by Jimmie F. Jones, as well as pieces and prints from several well-known artists. They are free and open to the public. See their upcoming exhibits at suu.edu/suma Venture beyond a visit to Zion National Park to explore sandstone cliffs, hoodoos, epic water views and pioneer history with some of Southern Utah’s other fun adventures. Zion National Park has many other destinations in its backyard. Some Southern Utah favorites include Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, Lake Powell, and Cove Fort.
Lake Powell Approximately 3.5 hours aways from Zion National Park, Lake Powell is a siren call for nature and water lovers. You don’t need a houseboat to enjoy Lake Powell’s beautiful views, although there are several options and marinas for renting a houseboat or pontoon boat. With the 150 miles long reservoir stretching through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on the Utah/Arizona border, there are opportunities for fishing, camping, boating, waterskiing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Or, just dip your feet into the water and enjoy the otherworldly views of sandstone cliffs and water in the desert. Plan your visit here. Bryce Canyon Famous for its sandstone hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park has a series of naturally carved amphitheaters full of the highest number of red rock spires or hoodoos anywhere on earth. Located in southeast Utah, Bryce is approximately 80 miles from Zion National Park. Be prepared for cooler temperatures and the crisp air of a higher elevation. Plan your visit or hike at Bryce Canyon’s website. Cedar Breaks Smaller than Bryce National Park but just a impactful, Cedar Breaks National Monument packs a visual punch with its half-mile deep geological amphitheaterfull of hoodoos and red cliffs. Surrounded by bristlecone pines (some of which are ancient), wildflower meadows and subalpine forest, Cedar Breaks is along Highway 148 in Brian Head, Utah. Located high above Cedar City at 10,000 feet, Cedar Breaks is also known for its clear night skies. The new visitor center is currently under construction and will affect some access. Check their website for more information. Cove Fort Step back in time to the 1800's at Cove Fort’s historical site located between Beaver and Fillmore Utah. Once a waystation for travelers, The Pony Express and telegraph lines, Cove Fort shows the life of the pioneer family of Ira Hinkley and how they helped travelers find a rest stop in their trek across the West. Tours are available through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who run the Cove Fort site. Schedule for a visit or virtual tour here. |
