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Cheyenne’s final farmers market draws crowd, supports vendors

Local nonprofits and businesses thrive at the last market of the season

Pumpkins are on display at the final Cheyenne farmers market at the Miller Farm produce stand. (Stew Dyer/Cap City News)

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Oct. 12 marks the final farmers market of the year in Cheyenne. From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Frontier Park is buzzing with community members enjoying the market, a trunk or treat and a raffle for a market basket. The weather is holding steady, drawing in families and vendors alike.

This year’s market season has been a significant success for the Community Action of Laramie County, or CALC, with sales totaling over half a million dollars.

“Vendors have said they haven’t seen a year like it,” said Traci Kyser, the farmers market manager and executive assistant to the CALC CEO. “It’s been our best market year — it’s off the charts.”

The market, which spans 10 weeks each year, featured 55 vendors in 2024. Kyser said that CALC was able to distribute $12,500 in tokens through grants and sponsorships to assist low-income families with food purchases.

Five percent of the market’s sales — approximately $25,000 — went directly to supporting CALC’s programs, which aim to empower individuals and reduce poverty by promoting access to healthcare, education and advocacy.

A vendor dressed in a festive outfit hands out baked goods at the Cheyenne farmers market during the final event of the year. (Stew Dyer/Cap City News)

Vendor Success

Local entrepreneur Zach Valerio, owner of Peace in the Wild Apparel, was among the many small businesses benefiting from the market. “It’s been great. This is where I get a majority of my sales, and as a small business, that is huge,” Valerio said. He typically earns between $300 and $400 per market, which he said has been vital for his business.

Miller Farms, based in Platteville, Colorado, has been a market staple for 40 years. Joe Miller, the farm’s owner, shared that this season brought in the best crop he’s ever seen, with the harvest starting early and lasting longer due to favorable weather conditions. “This is what my family does — we are a family farm,” Miller said. “This is the coolest location we do a market at, it’s the only place we have enough room.”

A vendor stirs a large kettle of popcorn, adding to the smells and sounds of the Cheyenne farmers market. (Stew Dyer/Cap City News)

Supporting the Community

Beyond profits, Kyser emphasized that the market has always been about supporting the community. One vendor who faced financial hardships this season was allowed to set up without a fee. “He was able to earn enough to catch up on bills,” Kyser said. “We have done well this year, but more importantly, the vendors have done really well.”

Nonprofits were also represented at today’s market. The Cheyenne YMCA engaged with the community, raising awareness about its upcoming pool reopening on Oct. 21. In addition, families were able to collect free pumpkins, sourced from Miller Farms, through vouchers provided by CALC.

A young girl, dressed in a police costume, shops at the Cheyenne farmers market. (Stew Dyer/Cap City News)

Final Fun and Raffle

As part of the festivities, the market is hosting a trunk or treat, offering candy, a pumpkin patch and a special raffle. The raffle features a market basket filled with vendor favorites, and tickets are $1 each or six for $5, with the drawing scheduled for noon.

Cheyenne’s farmers market concluded its most successful season to date, solidifying its role in boosting the local economy and supporting the community. As the final market wraps up today, organizers and vendors are already preparing for next year.

A violinist plays for marketgoers at the Cheyenne farmers market, adding music to the festive atmosphere. (Stew Dyer/Cap City News)

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