The Downtown Farmers’ Market opens its season at 7 a.m. Saturday for a run that ends Oct. 26. The market is open through noon each Saturday. Covering nine city blocks in the Court Avenue district, the market supports nearly 300 local business owners representing 50 of Iowa’s 99 counties. Vendors include farmers, producers, bakers and artists, with live entertainment in various spots. Each week’s crowd averages 25,000, and it’s more like 40,000 on opening day. A ceremonial bell ringing at 7 a.m. at the corner of Third Street and Court Avenue on Saturday will precede the distribution of 500 commemorative cowbells.