Kansas City, Mo. - Before the telephone was invented ... before 29 presidents took the office ... and even before Kansas became a state, Kansas Citians came together at The City Market. Since its inception in 1857, The City Market has remained a vibrant fixture of Kansas City, all the while witnessing important events in local and American history.

Located in the heart of the River Market neighborhood, The City Market is Kansas City's oldest continuously operating business-beginning as a bustling site for commerce, horse trading, medicine shows, political rallies and circuses. Today, the area is home to one of the largest year-round farmers' markets in the Midwest. Featuring more than 140 local vendor stalls each weekend, the farmers' market offers everything from fresh produce and baked goods to prepared foods and handmade crafts. A mid-week market is held every Wednesday during the height of the season (May through October).

The buildings surrounding the open-air market house more than 30 shops, restaurants and other businesses that are open year-round. One of them, the Arabia Steamboat Museum, features the world's largest collection of pre-Civil War artifacts.

The City Market's 150th anniversary celebration culminates this fall with its annual Harvest Festival on Oct. 13 & 14. The event will feature the Harvest Festival Olympics, plus a pumpkin patch, beer garden, stagecoach rides, live entertainment and more.

"The City Market is many things to many people. It's at the root of so many Kansas City memories," said Stephanie Spatz-Ornburn, City Market Director of Marketing & Events. "The Harvest Festival is a perfect way for the entire community to help us celebrate this important milestone."

The event will last from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 13 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 14. Admission is free.

For more information about The City Market, visit www.thecitymarket.org or call 816-842-1271.

About the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association
The Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enhance economic growth and quality of life for the region and its residents through marketing, sales and service for the convention and tourism industries. For more information, visit the organization's Web site at VisitKC.com.

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Photo Credit:  Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association

	Arabia Steamboat Museum, exhibits Caption: The Arabia Steamboat Museum is home to the world's largest collection of pre-Civil War artifacts. This image is not available for download. Download:  Click here to request image.
	Arabia Steamboat Museum, paddlewheel Caption: The Steamboat Arabia was bound for the Western frontier when it sank in the Missouri River on Sept. 5, 1856. This image is not available for download. Download:  Click here to request image.
	City Market Caption: The City Market is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants and merchants, plus one of the largest farmers' markets in the Midwest. This image is not available for download. Download:  Click here to request image.