In downtown Kansas City, Missouri, at Fifth Street and Walnut, you can find the historic Kansas City River Market, home to one of the largest farmers’ markets in the region with about 140 vendors offering local handmade jewelry, fresh produce, seafood, plants, and baked goods.

Many students enjoy experiencing what the River Market has to offer such as senior Kate Bowersox and junior Amira Dvorak.

“I like picking out fresh fruits — it makes me very happy,” Dvorak said. “I go with my parents. We started going more because I really liked it and we could get lots of fruits.

Pineapples aren’t the only thing Dvorak looks for when shopping at the River Market.

“Sometimes, if there’s something that catches my eye, I’ll buy local honey,” she said.

With Spring in full swing, the opening of the outdoor market brings in people from all over the region, including Dvorak who is eager to return.

“I normally go 10 times or so [in a year],” she said. “It is a fun little thing to do with family.”

Ranging from fresh fruit to vegetables to jewelry, Bowersox appreciates the diversity of options at the River Market, oftentimes buying a different kind of fresh produce.

“I always buy mushrooms,” she said. “There’s this one vendor that sells all different kinds of mushrooms, and they are so good.”

In addition, the River Market offers many handmade crafts by regional artisans.

“There’s a lot of local artists creating jewelry there that I like, such as crystal necklaces and bracelets,” Bowersox said.

On occasion, Bowersox enjoys dressing up and making a day out of the trip.

“I wear a cute hippie outfit [with] a flowy skirt,” she said. “I always get flowers — it’s fun to take some photos with [them].” 

Bowersox encourages people to go experience what KC has to offer and hopes she can go often this Spring and Summer.

“I try to go there, normally with my friends, like four or five times [a year],” she said. “I am going to go there as much as I can again.”