I was able to sit with Ina Dews, one of the market committee members, and get the full story of how the market came to be, since she has been faithfully with the market since the beginning of its inception and has even received awards for her dedication and volunteerism to the market. So in view of the vintage market last week let’s learn some history…
In the year of 2000, the Downtown Neighborhood Association(DNA) had only been around for a
couple years. They were just getting started and wanted new events to get things happening in Downtown Elgin, to get people to work, shop, live, and enjoy Downtown. The City Manager for the City of Elgin at the time, was Joyce Parker, and she asked the DNA if they would do a farmers market. DNA put an ad in the Courier newspaper mentioning they were looking for a volunteer to run the market. Ina saw it in the paper and called them up with her interest, though she wasn’t sure if they would let her. Turns out she was the only one who answered, and they were thrilled to have her help! Ina had already been going to markets in the area and had grown up in Texas were they were common to have.
So they did a test run in September of 2000, for four weeks on Thursdays, from 3-6pm. They had four vendors: S&D (Honey and Jams/Jellies), Stroger’s Farm, Bread from Lake Zurich, and she believes Windy Acres Farm. It was located right next to the US Post office, in the Civic Parking lot in Downtown Elgin. It was successful enough that they decided in 2001 to do the full season and start the second week of June on a Thursday to the last Thursday in September from 3-6pm. They had 6 vendors that year. This is when the DNA started counting the market seasons and why we are in our twelfth year, though technically you could say we are finishing our thirteenth season:)
Ina became the on site manager at the market from 2000 – 2010, with DNA staff assisting with the paperwork. Then 2011 to the present Ina has been an onsite volunteer in the DNA information booth. Over that period of time Ina worked with 7 various staff members and 3 executive directors, plus a market committee for five of those years.
I asked Ina why did they choose Thursday’s to have the market – since I am asked that almost every week! She said that they chose Thursdays back in 2000 because they wanted a different day to easily get vendors, since many weekend markets were already set in place. I then asked her about the name of the market – since most are called farmers markets. She said they wanted it to be unique and for people to know that their products were just harvested:)
When asked what Ina likes about the market she mentioned several things. One, she likes the variety and quality of the 
vendors that this market has from produce, to spices, to breads, to honey, etc. She also likes that the market has been educational the past 4-5 years and this year enjoyed the canning grant, the Link card being accepted at the market, having Chef Quincy on site, and a place as a family gathering. In fact for her, her most important accomplishments of this market, so far, are that families can come to the market with no huge cost and that she was able, with staff help, to get the Link and Credit card system up and running this year.
Lastly I asked Ina where the market should head for the future. She mentioned she would like to see more vendors that produce or have orchards, fall items, cakes/pies, more soul food like greens, black-eyed peas, and big green tomatoes. I asked her if she will be here next year – and she said “As long as I am able.”
Thank you Ina Dews for helping us preserve our history and serving the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market faithfully.
Downtown Elgin Harvest Market 