Downtown Ridgefield Isn't Hibernating This Year. Gather at Greely Starts Nov. 7
The City, the Port and the Ridgefield Farmers Market are turning the empty Greely Building into a winter hangout, with a Saturday market twice a month and Friday afternoon events hosted by local nonprofits through April.
Every summer, downtown Ridgefield is packed. There are markets, concerts, strollers, dogs, and somebody's kid sticky with kettle corn. Then October hits, the rain moves in for six months, and Pioneer Street gets pretty quiet. The shops are still open and the restaurants still need customers, but most of us stay home on the couch. I'm including myself in that.
The City of Ridgefield wants to change that this year. It's partnering with the Port of Ridgefield, the Ridgefield Farmers Market and a group of local organizations on Gather at Greely, a winter event series inside the vacant Greely Building at 304 Pioneer Street. The idea is simple. Give people a reason to come downtown when it's cold and wet, and while they're there, they'll grab lunch, browse a shop or two, and spend money at local businesses during the slowest stretch of the year.
It's an indoor building, a regular schedule and local vendors, so you can go without needing a raincoat.
The Winter Market Anchors the Series
The center of Gather at Greely is the Ridgefield Farmers Market's Winter Market, on the first and third Saturdays of the month from November 7 through April 17. The old garage will have handcrafted goods, plants and flowers, baked goods, prepared food and live music. It's basically the summer market, but warmer.
There are two skipped Saturdays to know about. There's no market on December 5, because that's Hometown Celebration and everyone will be on Main Street anyway. There's also no market on January 2, because nobody wants to work the day after New Year's.
Winter Market at a Glance
Friday Afternoons, Hosted by Local Nonprofits
The second part of the series is Friday afternoon events from November through April. Each one includes live music and an activity hosted by a local nonprofit. Two dates are confirmed so far, and the City says more programming is coming.
Friday, Nov. 13 · World Kindness Day
Positive Notes Workshop
Hosted by the Ridgefield Family Resource Center
This is the first Friday event, and it's a good one. Attendees write cards of encouragement, and the Ridgefield Family Resource Center puts them into the snack bags it gives local families for their students. A kid opens a granola bar and finds a note from a stranger saying they're doing great. Bring your kids, your coworkers or your neighbors.
Friday, Feb. 5
Bingo Night
Hosted by the Ridgefield Lions Club
It's bingo with the Lions Club, in February, when everyone in this town is desperate for something to do. Put it on your calendar now.
Friday events continue through April 2027. The City is posting new dates at RidgefieldWa.us/Gather as they're confirmed, and we'll put them on our events calendar and in the newsletter as they come in.
Make a Day of It
Supporting the businesses that keep downtown running is the whole reason for this series, so act like it. Stop at the market, then go get lunch somewhere on Main. Pick up a coffee on the way in. If you've been meaning to try that shop you keep driving past, go in while you're already parked.
The businesses downtown depend on more than summer crowds, and they notice who shows up in February.
Quick Answers
Where is the Greely Building?
It's at 304 Pioneer Street in downtown Ridgefield, a short walk from City Hall. It's the former garage the Port of Ridgefield owns. Park on the street nearby.
Is it indoors?
Yes. That's the point. The Winter Market and Friday events are inside the building.
What time are the Friday events?
The City has said "Friday afternoon" so far. Check RidgefieldWa.us/Gather for exact times as each event is posted.
How do I sell at the Winter Market?
Contact the Ridgefield Farmers Market directly. It runs the Winter Market and handles vendors.
Who's behind this?
The City of Ridgefield, with the Port of Ridgefield, the Ridgefield Farmers Market and other local organizations. For more about the building itself, see the Port of Ridgefield's website.
More from Meanwhile in Ridgefield
So here's the plan for the winter: put on your rain boots and come downtown. Go to the Winter Market, write a kindness card, play bingo with the Lions, and buy lunch from someone whose name you know. If you see me at the market with an armful of greenery I absolutely don't need, say hi. And if your nonprofit wants a Friday, email the City now before the good dates are gone.
