Downtown Belton hosts busy first MARKET DAYS

April 24, 2025

By Lynette Sowell

Belton Journal

Dozens of vendors lined the streets of downtown Belton on Saturday for the first day of Belton Market Days for the season.

Along with the market vendors, shoppers could purchase items from a variety of food vendors with specialty baked goods, cookies, salsa, local honey, fudge, jerky and more.

Those who wanted to dine had a selection of food trucks from which to choose – offering everything from cheese curds, kettle corn, snow cones, boba, and more.

While shoppers and diners circulated throughout downtown, they could enjoy live entertainment provided by Jay White & The Blues Commanders with Michael Mahler in the morning, followed by Martian Folk at 1 p.m.

Both bands are local to the Belton area, and Leila Valchar, owner of My Giving Tree Gift Shop and Gallery, head of the Discover Downtown Belton Association (DDBA), said that the bands love performing before a hometown crowd.

Likewise, she considered the day a success.

“We had hundreds of feedback cards from the attendees, and it was all very positive. They loved the variety of vendors, the music, the food trucks,” Valchar said. “We had people from all over Texas come on Saturday, from Hutto, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston. There were lots of people visiting family from out of state. It is a much loved family event.”

Valchar said that vendor slots for the next Market Days, set for November 15 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., are full and there is a waiting list.

Valchar added that she and the DDBA are grateful for the support from the city of Belton.

“From behind the scenes and bringing the barricades, doing a soft close the night before, and them bringing us the stage, I am so grateful to work alongside them,” Valchar said. “The Belton Fire Department set up a first aid station, and this is something I’ve wanted to add to the event.”

Market Days has been a downtown staple since 2010 and is celebrating more than two decades of keeping downtown Belton a busy place to shop and dine.

The DDBA sponsors the Candy Trail and Christmas on the Chisholm Trail, as well as organizes Market Days.