Cape Riverfront Market to open May 2 for 2026 season in downtown Cape Girardeau
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — The Cape Riverfront Market will open for the 2026 season Saturday, May 2, in downtown Cape Girardeau.
The market, hosted by Old Town Cape Inc., will operate every Saturday morning from May through October, beginning at 8 a.m. Early shopping hours from 7:30 to 8 a.m. will be available for elderly and disabled community members.
The market is located at 35 S. Spanish St.
Visitors can expect a variety of vendors offering hot breakfast and lunch items, fresh-squeezed lemonade, farm-fresh produce, local meats and cheeses, baked goods, jams, honey, flowers, plants, handmade jewelry, artisan crafts and natural wellness products.
Live music, demonstrations, games and other activities are also planned, along with a mix of new vendors and returning favorites.
Old Town Cape will also host monthly themed festivals throughout the season, including:
- Opening Day — May 2, 8 a.m. to noon
- Future Makers Market Festival — June 6, 8 a.m. to noon
- Strawberry Festival — June 20, 8 a.m. to noon
- Red, White and Blue Festival — July 4, 8 a.m. to noon
- SEMO Redhawks Festival — Aug. 22, 8 a.m. to noon
- Haunted Harvest Festival — Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to noon
Due to increased vendor participation, a section of Spanish Street will be closed each Saturday to accommodate additional booths. A portion of the street near Merriwether Street will be reserved for parking for Grass Roots BMW Motorcycle customers.
“We are so excited to kick off the 2026 season of the Cape Riverfront Market and welcome our community back for another incredible year,” market manager Halie Ponder said.
“We’ve put a lot of heart into updates to the Market Lot and Community Garden, and we can’t wait for everyone to see the improvements and enjoy these refreshed spaces.
More than anything, I’m looking forward to bringing the market back to its roots — celebrating local farmers, makers, and the simple joy of gathering together on Saturday mornings. It’s going to be a special season, and we can’t wait to share it with you.”
Organizers thanked sponsors supporting the market, including Delta, Edge Realty/Lorimont Commercial Real Estate, Natural Health Organic Foods Store, Tabor Commercial Real Estate, Procter & Gamble, Saint Francis Healthcare System, MO Roofing & Construction, Cape Family Medical Clinic, Shivelbine’s Music Store, River Radio/MikeFM, SendAFriend, The Bank of Missouri and the Rotary Club of Southeast Missouri Service.
For more information, contact market manager Halie Ponder at caperiverfrontmarket@gmail.com or 573-334-8085.
