Lucky Star Market Returns to Ames, Celebrates 15 Years of Local Enterprise
Downtown Ames is gearing up for a celebration of local creativity and small business this weekend. The Lucky Star Market returns to the Fareway parking lot on Sunday, bringing together nearly 50 artists, makers, musicians, and food vendors. The event also marks a major milestone for its founder, who has spent 15 years building a grassroots marketplace that champions local enterprise.
Jody Bergan Bennett recently received the Veronika Ruedenberg Cultural Entrepreneur Award from the Ames Community Arts Council. The honor recognizes her 15 years of dedication to providing a free, welcoming venue for emerging artists in the community.
Appearing in locations across Ames and nearby communities, Lucky Star features printmakers, painters, jewelers, potters, wood and leather artists, food artisans, and local musicians. Jody also uplifts young creators and nonprofits, including annual partnerships with Ames High art students and Friendship Ark. Her vision has strengthened community connection and enriched Ames' creative landscape.
Bergan Bennett said the recognition felt both humbling and a little surreal.
Lucky Star has become a vibrant community of new and experienced artists, food artisans, ceramic artists, textile creators and repurposers, vintage vendors and more.
Shop Local and Support Iowa Makers
The June event is the only market of its kind in Ames until fall, Bergan Bennett explained. With no other large makers markets scheduled until the Octagon Center for the Arts' annual event in September and Lucky Star's fall market on Oct. 4, she hopes people will take the opportunity to support local creators.
There are always smaller pop-ups, but as far as a big gathering for art and makers, this is it.
Sunday's market features a mix of longtime favorites and first-time vendors, including several Bergan Bennett is especially excited to spotlight.
Notable New Vendors Join the Lineup
One of Sunday's surprises is PepperHarrow Farm, the Madison County flower farm run by Adan and Jenn O'Neil. The couple are authors of Small Farm, Big Dreams and represent the kind of hardworking agricultural entrepreneurs that drive Iowa's economy.
I was kind of blown away when they applied. They're kind of big time.
PepperHarrow will bring fresh bouquets along with soaps, lotions, and oils made with their farm-grown lavender. They also offer dried flowers, seeds, and tubers.
Printmaker and watercolor artist Jill Sneed of Stanhope joins the lineup after earning a recent third-place award at the Iowa Artists State Show. Sneed teaches drawing and printmaking workshops across central Iowa.
Other new additions include Kelly Elliott of Francine and Georgia, known for her witty paper goods, and Lisa Fontaine, a retired Iowa State professor who creates repurposed silk necklaces and scarves. Ames artist Chris Perrin will bring his humorous 2D and 3D work featuring birds, bugs, and beasts.
The market will also host Clay on Wheels, an interactive clay experience led by Gilbert art teacher Nathan Moore.
Live Music, Food, and Community Connection
Ames-based band Foxpin and Des Moines musician Will Z Hatchet, a visual artist, will provide free, live music.
Food trucks include Macubana, The Funny Onion, Bean Caffeinated, The Outside Scoop Ames, Vintage Road Coffee, and C'est la Crepe.
Bergan Bennett draws on the sense of connection she sees among artists and visitors to help propel her into a sixth season.
There's a good community that forms between them. People are really wanting to spend their money in a grassroots local way.
Event Details
- What: Lucky Star Market
- When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, June 7
- Where: Downtown Fareway parking lot, Ames