FARMERS' MARKET

WHO WE ARE

Established in 1982, The Great Falls Original Farmers' Market is a non-profit organization based in Great Falls, Montana. With the mission, "Growing Commerce through Community", the market is managed through a board of advisors and community input. The market begins every season in early June and runs through September, filling the streets of Downtown Great Falls every Saturday from 8:30am-1:00pm.

HISTORY

The origin of the Great Falls Original Farmers' Market dates back to the 1970’s when Hutterite colonies sold their produce door-to-door. In the late 1970’s a handful of Colonies and local farmers began setting up by the Civic Center and thus began the unofficial Great Falls Farmers' Market. In 1982 bylaws were adopted and the market became a non-profit trade association known as the Great Falls Original Farmers' Market. 

The Market started in Margaret Park on the north side of the Civic Center and soon expanded into Whittier Park on the south side of the Civic Center. Mike Winters, a former market manager, recalls when he became manager in 1993 there were 35-40 vendors and when he left in 2000 there were 110 vendors. As the popularity of the Market grew so did the number of vendors - expanding onto Park Drive and into the parking lot across the street known as the Downtowner Lot. 

Today the Great Falls Original Farmers' Market boasts it is the biggest and best farmer’s market in Montana with 135-160 vendors every Saturday. In addition, the Market has continued to expand their vendor resumes. We've grown into the biggest family-friendly social event in Great Falls. People come from all over the world to visit our Market with its wide variety of farmers, artists, non-profits and entertainment. Our unique, handcrafted items, baked goods, jams, jellies, syrups and honey are exclusive to our region. Food vendors offer ready-to-eat fry bread, crepes, mini-donuts, chicken-on-a-stick, and more for patrons to enjoy while they shop. Entertainers, pony rides and live music scatter the Market every weekend.

The Great Falls Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday from 8:30 am to 1:00pm from the first Saturday of June through the last Saturday of September. With over a hundred vendors every week, there is something for everyone.

THURSDAY NIGHT MARKET

The Thursday Night Market located at the Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center in Great Falls is a new addition as of 2024 to our line-up of events. Prior to 2020, patrons were able to enjoy our Wednesday Night Market in the same location as Saturday morning markets. The board decided that 2024 would be the year to bring back a weeknight market and branch out to other locations in our city. Starting July 10 th and going through the end of August, patrons can find their locally grown produce as well as handmade local crafts and other items at the Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Thursday nights.



To apply for our Thursday Night Market, see our application on the Participation tab.

• Begins Thursday, July 10th through August 28th
• Located in the parking lot of the Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center at 900 29th Street South.
• Set up begins at 4:00; early entry is not allowed.
• Electricity is not an available resource at this venue.
• Every Thursday Night Market will have a flat fee of 15.00 that is paid upon entry to the lot.
• Spots are assigned in order of arrival and are given out on a first come first serve basis. Once all spots are filled, the check in process will be concluded. No spot will be guaranteed or able to be chosen by the vendor.
• Vendors must be in place by 4:45pm.
• The Market will start at 5:00 and end at 7:00pm.
• Vendors may begin driving out of the lot at 7:15pm.
• Staffing will comprise of the Market Manager and any board members willing to volunteer their time.

If you have already filled out a Saturday morning market application, that is sufficient for the Thursday Night market; please do not fill out an additional

application. If you have not filled out a market application, please use the application online located on the Participation page and disregard the request for Saturday participation dates.