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<strong>Siouxland</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> | EXPLORE /54<br />
A kayaker is hanging out in his life jacket, sipping<br />
a bloody mary, and listening to live music as he<br />
peruses the organic offerings at the Farmer’s<br />
Market. He passes by people enjoying yoga on the<br />
new boardwalk down by the Ferris Wheel before<br />
kayaking home. This is not just a pretty story painting<br />
a picture. This is real life, and that kayaker personifies<br />
what Krissy Thiessen and Tracy Evans had in mind when<br />
they launched the market at Arnold’s Park.<br />
There are only five Farmer’s Markets in the USA you<br />
can boat up to. One is in Iowa and it’s a street party<br />
you can basically grocery shop at. Why hasn’t this<br />
always existed? The intent was to create a new market<br />
with an atmosphere that emulated the lakes area:<br />
high quality produce and craftsman items like those of<br />
Lakeside Woodworking, live music, kids’ activities, and<br />
more all right on the water on Lake Street. This must see<br />
experience occurs every Saturday during the summer<br />
and continues through the fall.<br />
“We started with around 15 vendors but continued to<br />
add on through the end of the first season and into last<br />
season. We were planning on 40+ vendors last year<br />
but COVID stomped on that a little. We’re hopeful this<br />
year we will have close to 40 vendors give or take!”<br />
commented Krissy Thiessen, Executive Director –<br />
Farmer’s Market in the Park and owner of Cherry Lane<br />
Farm.<br />
Investment in the Okoboji experience is abundant. Park<br />
goers now take picturesque strolls on the Norwegian<br />
kebony wood planks of a newly constructed boardwalk<br />
up to Preservation Plaza donning nine arches with 250<br />
programmable LED lights that are lit up when bands like<br />
OAR and Iowa legend Damon Dotson take the stage.<br />
Rachel Carlson, RE/MAX Preferred hosted bands<br />
like Smashmouth on the very same stage during her<br />
time in the marketing department at Arnold’s Park.<br />
Beautification of the area is prominent and at its apex,<br />
the renaissance of The Inn Hotel.<br />
There is something magical about hotels and resorts<br />
of the past. In 1896, The Inn was erected on West Lake<br />
Okoboji and was labeled “the hub of society,” ushering<br />
in what was coined, “The Golden Age.” The legendary<br />
resort enjoyed occupants from all over the region<br />
for more than a century. Marc and Mercedes Steffes<br />
decided to run it back. In honor of the Inn and a nod to<br />
its history, they wanted to introduce a modern version<br />
that embodied the magic of an earlier era. The design<br />
remained true to the Art Deco feel of its predecessor,<br />
while introducing next-level amenities including a<br />
rooftop pool and The Beach Club just steps away from<br />
Arnold’s Park.<br />
“The Beach Club transports lake-goers to<br />
the northern Caribbean in its heyday. Inside<br />
the sweet smell of rum infuses handcrafted<br />
cocktails, while the luxe interior, romantic lighting,<br />
and vintage sounds of Cuban Jazz culminate<br />
in an island-inspired speakeasy vibe,”<br />
stated Mercedes Steffes, owner<br />
- The Inn Hotel.<br />
So. Much. Awesomeness. Is this heaven? No…it’s Iowa.<br />
Jeff and Rachel Carlson, Carlson Group @ RE/MAX<br />
Preferred<br />
Carlson kids enjoying the Farmer’s Market.
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