Just when you thought it couldn’t get any bigger or better, the annual Great American Market continued to defy expectations on Saturday.
With well over 200 vendors on hand and thousands of visitors spanning six blocks of Commercial Street, 2024 will be remembered as the largest market to date. Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods says the market’s growth never ceases to amaze him each year.
Woods adds the event is not only a benefit to the businesses on hand, but it is an economic development endeavor that brings countless benefits to the community year-round.
In addition to the vendors and food trucks selling their various products, several non-profit organizations were also on hand Saturday including Flint Hills Animal Advocates. Deb Ghere of FHAA says they love being a part of the market each year noting it is a great platform and fundraiser with an emphasis on the fun.
Another non-profit on hand for the event was the Kansas chapter of the Brothers of the Third Wheel, a non-profit that promotes riding trike motorcycles and raises money to support other non-profit entities such as Camp Alexander according to chapter treasurer Cathy Peek. Peek says participating in the market has been a traditional piece of their chapter’s annual meeting in Emporia each year.
She says the market has always been a combination family reunion and recruitment opportunity for their organization the past several years.
Alongside the local businesses and non-profits on hand, the event once again saw a significant turnout of vendors from around the state of Kansas and well beyond.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
