Valley Junction Farmers Market
Presented by 
The Valley Junction Farmers Market is home to over 90 weekly vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, plants and flowers, arts and crafts, and prepared foods. Join your friends and neighbors from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. Live music in a beverage garden happens each week on the stage in Railroad Park. Special performances events are scheduled throughout the season.
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WHEN:
Every Thursday | May – September | 4pm – 8pm
WHERE:
100 – 300 blocks of 5th Street
SPECIAL EVENT SCHEDULE:
x2 per Month: Car Show Presented by Nan’s Nummies and BW Outdoors at 5th & Elm
September 4: “Scoop the Block” Ice Cream Social
Beat the summer heat and treat your sweet tooth at Scoop the Block, a deliciously fun Ice Cream Social happening during the Valley Junction Farmers Market! Don’t miss an evening with seven of the coolest ice cream vendors around. Grab a spoon (or a cone!) and sample the best frozen treats at three locations throughout the Valley Junction Farmers Market
5th & Elm:
🍨 Sweet Swirls – Classic soft-serve with creative toppings and creamy shakes
🍦 V&B Farms – Farm-fresh, hand-dipped ice cream churned by hit & miss motor
🍧 Street Sweets – locally handcrafted scoops also serving flights, floats, and ice cream nachos
🍨 Totally Rolled – Rolled ice cream with wild flavors and mix-ins made before your eyes
🍦 Outside Scoop – Small-batch artisan scoops made with local ingredients
113 5th:
🍦 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory – Classic hand-dipped ice cream and shakes
134 5th:
🍨 Black Cat Ice Cream – Unique in-house hand-dipped ice cream and ice cream nuggets
September 18: Hot Pepper Eating Competition hosted by Iowa Pepper Co.
Can you beat the heat among a table of your pepper-eating peers? Join the Historic Valley Junction Foundation and Iowa Pepper Co. as they co-host the 3rd annual Valley Junction Farmers Market Hot Pepper Eating Competition. Sign up here
NEW THIS YEAR: The Lil’ Sprouts Play Patch Kid’s Zone
Let the littles use their never-ending energy on games, toys, take a ride on Plush Animal Rides, and pet some live goats from West Homestead’s Healing Herd! Picnic tables for both the adults and kids in this area.
QUESTIONS:
Where will my favorite vendor be located?
Find the interactive market map here.
Where can I find information and service?
Guest services are available at the Historic Valley Junction Foundation Office, 137 5th Street. At our office, you can:
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- Get help finding your favorite store or vendor.
- Purchase Valley Junction merchandise.
- Charge your device
- Protect your neck with free sunscreen
Who’s playing in the beverage garden?
Find the Music in the Junction schedule here.
Getting Here
Here is the map link to our office in the heart of the Farmers Market. Find driving routes and parking instructions here.
We know finding parking can be an issue on event days. If wanting to avoid parking congestion, or driving isn’t an option:
- There are two DART routes available which pick up and drop off near Fifth and Elm streets: the Ingersoll/Valley Junction Local Route 11 and the West Des Moines Loop Local Route 72. These routes will be redirected during Farmers Markets.
- Park at one of ten public parks and ride your bike in. There is plenty of bike parking located through the market.
- Wilson Park .4 miles | 2 min
- Holiday Park .8 miles | 4 min
- Raccoon River Park 1.8 miles | 9 min
- Fairmeadows 2 miles | 10 min
- Ashworth Park 2.3 miles | 12 min
- Colby Park 2.6 miles | 14 min
- West Des Moines City Campus 3.1 miles | 17 min
- Jordan Creek Trail @ 39th St 3.2 miles | 17 min
- Water Works Park 3.2 mi | 16 min
- Jordan Creek Park 4 miles | 20 min
To keep everyone safe, West Des Moines Police officers may ticket or tow vehicles parked:
- In front of public or private driveways or mailboxes
- On or across a sidewalk or on a crosswalk at an intersection
- Within or within 10 feet of an intersection of any street or alley
- Within 10 feet of a flashing beacon, stop or yield sign or traffic control signal located at the side of a street
Vendors
Read our Farmers Market Vendor Handbook and then apply to be a vendor.
Non-profits
We offer non-profit organizations up to three free booth spaces each season. Spaces are limited.
Non-mainstage performing artists
Musicians, dancers, and other performing artists can apply to perform at multiple spaces throughout the market.
Do you have a club or organization you want to showcase at the farmers market?
Email us to tell us about your idea and see if we would be a good fit! Booking space is usually free for non-profits, government orgs, and clubs (car show, motorcycle shows, etc.).