Chesterton’s European Market

This market was great! Tons of options and some great smelling food! We went looking for fresh fruit but unfortunately we arrived later in the day and most of it was gone!
My only «complaint» is that there needs to be more seating to eat the great food. They have a few picnic tables and some brick walls to sit on but nothing substantial.
We will definitely go back.

Out of all the farmer’s markets I have been to, this is my second favorite. I say second because if you are looking for acutal produce, forget it. They have 2 – 3 of thier 80+ vendors that acutally sell veggies and they are so slammed that I don’t even bother. However, if you want artisan breads, cheese, pastries and other crafty things, this is perfect. Also, the amount of food vendors is head spinning, from bubble teas to tacos, you name it, it will be there most likely.
But veggies at a farmer’s market, not this one hardly…

great local produce + specialty items like bread and cheese = always a must go on Saturdays
I love this farmers market because the venders have been the same for ages and I can get a ton of my produce locally. They have cheese, bread, honey, and preserves that I splurge on sometimes but most of the time I am happy with my basket full of local produce. I highly recommend this market!

Bring a lawn blanket and prepare to picnic with your family and friends at the Thomas Centennial Park. You see, Chesterton is all things Americana. It’s a quaint little town with a cute little market that has everything from fresh cut flowers, garden vegetables, fresh lemonade, BBQ meat to jewelry, scarves and mittens. If you’re not from Indiana, it’s a nice way to experience some things unique to the state and region. For example, they have local vendors like the famous Wakarusa Dime Store with their exclusive Jumbo Jelly Beans (huge and quite yummy with all sorts of flavors). Kernels and Kones was there with their chocolates and gourmet fudge (fudge which is apparently from Pennsylvania but still excellent nonetheless). I especially enjoyed the Polish accordionist Steve Kowalczyk and how he used timeless pieces to entertain passersby. I had an enjoyable time and felt my 2 hours was well-​spent. I would definitely return to this open air market again.

This is an open air market, fashioned supposedly after European markets. I’m not sure, I’ve never been to a European market so I can’t speak to the authenticity of it. It has a nice array of vendors; however, way too many crafty things for me. You can only buy so much soap, bath oils, beaded jewelry before it doesn’t make it worth your time to go.
Some of the vendors are unique. There is a cheese person there; however, I shy away from that because in the summer, all the cheeses are out (unrefrigerated with flies buzzing around), people sell sandwiches and full meals, baked goods and the aforementioned crafty items. Sometimes there is a band playing or a musician plying his trade in the middle of the market. It’s a good place to people watch and get up to date info on new olive oils, some very good tapenades, lovely pastries and grab a cup of coffee or a smoothie. For my tastes, I like the market by Skip’s on Red Arrow Highway in Harbert, Michigan. They also have some crafty vendors but I look at them more as artists, but they also have great farm produce. There is always a rescue group booth for puppies and kitties waiting to be adopted as well.

I’m a veteran to the Chesterton European Market as I’ve tried to go at least once a year for the past several years. Multiple vendors line the square offer items from food items (fresh fruit to desserts from a convent) to knife sharpening to plants and even dog treats.
My favorite vendors include Lehman’s Orchard from Niles Michigan (they have veggie chips and a nice selection of dried fruits and jams/​honey) and Kris’ Country Kitchen out of South Bend with their homemade cookies and other goodies. I also purchased a bag of kettle corn and a pretzel from another vendor which was one of the more delicious I’ve ever had.
I’ll definitely be back at least one more time this year. The market runs from May until the end of October. With the entertainment and all the square has to offer, there is always something for everyone here.

Great market — very authentic. There were around 40 to 50 vendors offering everything from baklava and tamales to pierogies and olive oils. It reminded us of a market we visited in northern Italy with Italian music playing and the smell of fresh pepperoni in the air. Great place to not only make purchases but learn about the story behind the food from the vendors.