Saturday Farmers' Markets move to Confederation Park

Revised 2024 Market Schedule:

About the Move:

Regina Farmers' Market (RFM) is relocating its Saturday farmers’ markets ONLY from Pat Fiacco Plaza downtown to Confederation Park in the REAL District. Starting on May 4, 2024, farmers' markets will be held at Confederation Park (1700 Elphinstone Street) every Saturday until October 12. Wednesday's farmers’ markets will continue downtown as usual, starting on May 8 and running until October 9.

Pat Fiacco Plaza has been home to the farmers' market since its opening in 2011, and has served as the perfect home for RFM to connect the community with their local farmers and producers ever since. The decision to relocate was not an easy one, and stems from space constraints caused by the ongoing construction downtown. With more than 80 vendors attending our Saturday farmers' markets during peak season, the logistical challenge of managing vendor space, customer flow, and plaza accessibility all while maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment became unfeasible. The smaller Wednesday farmers' markets will shift slightly to the 1900 block of Scarth Street and the Southeast side of Pat Fiacco Plaza, to ensure that the Plaza can remain open to traffic. 

RFM extends its heartfelt gratitude to the City of Regina for their unwavering support in ensuring that customers will still have the opportunity to shop downtown in 2024. The construction, which will see 11th Avenue closed this summer from Hamilton to Lorne, is a much-needed and welcome improvement to Regina's downtown. As an organization with a long history of operating out of the downtown core, RFM is excited to embrace this revitalization of our city's heart.

About the New Location: 

The new market location is in the REAL District (1700 Elphinstone Street), in the parking lot directly beside Confederation Park (Lot F between Mosaic Stadium & The Brandt Centre). Plans for the detailed market layout are still developing, and RFM is grateful to REAL for their support and accommodation in ensuring that both our vendors’ and our customers’ needs are all met. This includes ample parking, access to washrooms, power supply for vendors, space for activations and entertainment, and storage space, among other amenities.

Confederation Park offers RFM the best available alternative to Pat Fiacco Plaza. The space remains a central location within the city, and provides a level of accessibility similar to that of the plaza. The venue is located along transit routes, offers ample parking, and is accessible on foot or by bike for those in the nearby neighbourhoods of Cathedral and North Central. The entire market will also stay accessible for those in wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Backing onto greenspace, the farmers' market will maintain its vibrant and inviting atmosphere, reminiscent of Victoria Park downtown.

RFM's positive experience hosting indoor farmers' markets at the Co-operators Centre over the winter also underscores the accessibility benefits of the area. Customer feedback regarding the winter markets, which took place from October 14, 2023, to March 30, 2024, has been overwhelmingly positive. 

FAQ: 

What about competing events in the REAL District? Won't it be too busy?
Ensuring a seamless and enjoyable market experience is our utmost priority. In the instance of competing events, such as the Queen City Exhibition on August 3rd, plans are already in motion to relocate our farmers’ market to an alternate venue. Additionally, we will coordinate with REAL District security to manage parking and traffic flow effectively during concurrent events, including Rider games and other sporting events.

What about those who work downtown? I love having the market downtown!
We love having our markets downtown too! Rest assured, the move to Confederation Park will only impact farmers’ markets held on Saturdays. Our Wednesday markets, which typically feature a smaller number of vendors, will continue to operate downtown.

In order to maintain accessibility to Cornwall Street from the plaza, our vendors will shift to the 1900 block of Scarth Street, with food trucks set up on the Southeast side of the plaza facing Victoria Park. We are extremely grateful to the City of Regina for their accommodation in ensuring that our customers still have the option to shop the farmers; market downtown this season.

What about the ambiance downtown? I love the vibrant feel of the summer markets.
We understand the importance of maintaining the atmosphere that our customers have come to know and love about our downtown farmers' markets. Confederation Park is a new location for RFM – so it will likely take some trial and error to get it just right – but we are committed to recreating that lively farmers' market feel. 

With the benefit of backing onto greenspace, we anticipate that this will contribute to a similar experience to Victoria Park, including the opportunity for picnics. We are also exploring the possibility of incorporating a temporary stage or other areas for activations and entertainment, reminiscent of the mainstage on the plaza. 

We are excited about the new challenge and welcome your input and ideas on how we can make the market experience even better! Please feel free to share your thoughts with us at [email protected].

Will there be access to washrooms?
We are currently working with REAL District to ensure that our customers and vendors will have access to washroom facilities during market hours. We are very grateful to REAL for their welcoming accommodation in making sure all of our needs are met this season.

Have a question that we didn't answer?
RFM maintains its commitment to providing the best possible farmers' market experience and invites its customers to share their input and ideas regarding the transition to the new location by contacting [email protected]. RFM recognizes that its loyal customer base is integral to its success, and looks forward to welcoming them to for the 2024 season!