The Downtown Elgin Farmers Market drew a record 3,000 people for its 2022 debut on June 3. (Downtown Neighborhood Assn. / HANDOUT)

Last summer, the Downtown Elgin Farmers Market drew an average of 827 people every Friday afternoon. On its best day, the number was about 1,200 and that’s only occurred once or twice in 2020 and 2021, organizers say.

So, how to explain the 3,000 people who turned out for the market’s 2022 debut last Friday?

“With the nice day, we were anticipating a good-sized crowd, but this exceeded our expectations,” said Jennifer Fukala, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, which conducts the market.

Fukala said 3,000 was likely the largest number of people gathered for a downtown Elgin event since the 2019 Nightmare on Chicago Street, which drew about 15,000.

Sarah Michaels, who was hired to be the farmers market manager in January, said she was overjoyed by the opening day numbers and how well things went.

Starting planning efforts earlier than they had in the past certainly helped, Michaels said. Vendor applications and information on the market went out in February, she said.

“We did a big push on social media too,” Michaels said.

Having a beautiful summer day for the opening didn’t hurt, nor did the fact that they had more vendors this year and a good spot in which to spread out on Spring Street, between Chicago and Fulton Streets, Michaels and Fukala said.

Last year, the market had 32 committed vendors; this year, they have 48 and room for more.

Fukala hypothesized that inflation and fewer COVID-19 fears and restrictions may have played roles in terms of bringing out a larger crowd. It takes less gas to visit attractions closer to home, she said.

“People might be trying to conserve in some ways, with a focus toward the local,” Fukala said.

On a recent weekend bike ride she took with her son, Fukala said, they spotted families walking from the west side to the splash pad in Festival Park downtown, people posing for graduation pictures, and dozens of people fishing on the Fox River and having picnics in Elgin parks.

“It’s old-school community fun,” Fukala said.

The market was also fun — and productive — for vendors.

“It was really packed. There were a lot of people nonstop. It was really great,” said LaShanda Lewis, who operates Huntley-based The Irie Cup, a tea business, with her husband, Joseph.

Back for their second year, the couple made 100 sales last Friday, 72 of those for cups of iced tea, Lewis said. It was the busiest they have been at any of the four markets where they set up, she said.

Also back for a second year was Ron Orist, of Crystal Lake, with his Acrylic Abstractions booth. Orist sells hand-decorated T-shirts, hoodies, shoes, vases and jewelry. Last Friday he did about $500 in business, he said.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,” Orist said.

Fukala and Michaels, too, are optimistic for drawing big crowds again, particularly since it’s still very early in the local growing season.

“We’ll be bringing in more farmers and growers as the season progresses,” Fukala said.

This Friday, Michaels said, the Gail Borden Public Library will set up The Little Library On Spring, where people can swap books.

The market is open from 3 to 7 p.m. every Friday through October. For more information, go to www.downtownelgin.com/farmersmarket/.

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.