Market Square's successful year of local foods, handcrafted arts, and live music

One of Swift Current’s most famed annual community events has come and gone with another successful summer. 

The final Market Square of the season in partnership with the Swift Current Farmer’s Market took place last Saturday in the heart of downtown. 

Marlene Johnson, manager for the events, said this year was much better compared to last year, as the community returns to a pre-pandemic normal.  

“We just had the best summer,” she said. “We had all the vegetables and everything [last year], but this year we were able to have entertainment and more things for the kids.”  

Market Square 2022 (photo courtesy of Marlene Johnson)

Over the few months it ran, Market Square hosted an abundance of local operations and businesses, including (but not limited to), Diana's Kitchen, Flatland Foods, Southwest Crisis Services, Mamas and Mayhem, Gould Town Honey, Sleeping Giant Coffee, the City of Swift Current, and many more. 

The summer was also jam-packed with fun events for everyone to experience, with one of the biggest being the annual Cruisin’ the Market Show ‘n Shine. 

Arial view of Cruisin' the Market 2022 (photo courtesy of Marlene Johnson)

“We had over 140 cars at Cruisin’ the Market,” she said. “It was the biggest we’ve ever had.”  

Other featured events that folks got to enjoy this year were the SPCA John Mueller Memorial Radiothon, Come Together with Sidewalk Days, and the 501st Legion’s Star Wars characters.  

The stage was also busy thanks to its sponsor Innovation Credit Union, with tons of local performers--from the Dance Studio of Swift Current, to the Oratorio Choir and Swift Current Comprehensive High School Choir, to Bollywood performer Ankita Das. 

Jonhson said that one of the biggest highlights for her is getting to see everybody come out and support their community.  

“I think it brings everybody together and it becomes an experience,” she said. “I just want to thank our sponsors that help us every year to make it the way it is and our partnership with the farmer’s market.”