July Kicks Off the Evanston Farmers Market and Free Outdoor Concert Series

Residents and visitors to Evanston, Wyoming, can head to the Historic Depot Square on Thursday evenings in July to enjoy the annual free concert series and shop at the local farmers market. The concert series (known as Music in the Air @ Depot Square) runs for eight weeks, ending on August 28, while the farmers market continues through September 18.

“The concert series is one of our best events downtown during the summer months,” says Mieke Madrid, Main Street Program Coordinator. “It coincides with one of our other top events, the farmers market.”

The concert series and farmers market have been a summer staple of Evanston for more than a decade, and people are starting to travel from other parts of Wyoming and Utah to attend these events. Learn what makes them so special and how to enjoy them. 

Visitors Enjoy Fresh Produce and Live Music

Music in the Air @ Depot Square runs from six to eight on Thursday evenings in the summer and intentionally overlaps with the farmers market. People who travel from out of town can enjoy two events at once, while residents pick up groceries and prepared foods for their families. Some attendees turn their farmers market visit into a picnic, enjoying locally-made cheeses and bread while they listen to the bands.

“This is a great thing for the community because music brings everyone together,” says Madrid. “The atmosphere is festive and people have a good time. Everyone from eight to eighty can come and enjoy the music.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. In the event of rain, the event that week will be cancelled.

The Farmers Market Offers Activities and Fun for Kids  

While many adults enjoy shopping from the local farmers and vendors who participate in the market, organizers have taken steps to make the event kid-friendly. A few volunteers have developed a kids' booth where young people can learn about agriculture, nature, and other parts of Wyoming life. Here are a few activities that have been brought to the booth:

• Kids held live earthworms in a worm bin while enjoying a “cup of dirt” pudding and gummy worm treat. 
• Beekeepers brought an observation hive so kids could see how these unique insects make honey. 
• Volunteers helped kids make bird feeders with pine cones, peanut butter, and birdseed.

Another volunteer regularly brings children's books to the farmers market and reads to kids throughout the evening. She selects books related to the activities in the kids' tent, so if kids are learning about the butterfly lifecycle, she might bring a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 

The Farmers Market is Powered By Dedicated Board Members

The farmers market is a nonprofit organization that charges farmers $10 for a booth weekly, while vendors pay $20 per week. Vendors sell value-added products like crafts, baked goods, and lemonade. The market is run by a board of more than 30 volunteers who work together to make the event go smoothly. They manage nearly 40 vendors throughout the summer.  

“We have these great board members who have helped make our market a success,” says Barb Martinez, one of the market organizers. “Their reward is one dinner at the end of the season, but they’re happy to do it.”

At the end of the season, the board reviews the leftover funds and donations from market visitors. Any extra money is given back to the community in the form of charitable contributions. Board members can suggest charities that help Uinta County and highlight causes close to their hearts.  

“I’m really impressed with my board, the vendors, and the community that supports us,” says Martinez. “The farmers market wouldn’t be a success without the people who didn’t show up.” She also appreciates the City of Evanston for giving them a site to use and helping them with various technical aspects of putting on this annual event.

The farmers market is still accepting applications for vendors. They also accept donations throughout the season. 

Keep Up With Other Community Events in Evanston

Evanston thrives because of the people who live here. Various groups form clubs and host events based on their unique interests. This means new residents to Evanston can find their communities, make friends, and get to know their neighbors. 

“It’s a cool vibe,” says Madrid. “We have an amazing community of people who help each other if needed. It’s the people who make Evanston amazing.”

Learn more about life in Evanston and the benefits of living here or moving your business to the area. There’s always something happening downtown, and Uinta County offers endless opportunities to connect with nature. You can find your home in Wyoming.