Every year since its inception, the Great American Market has only become greater thanks to continued expansion and evolution and the 2025 rendition of the event on Saturday certainly continued that trend in the mind of Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods.
This year’s event was on par, if not slightly above, previous years in terms of vendors, with right around 200 taking up residence from the 600 to 1100 blocks of Commercial as well as several side streets, as mentioned by Woods. As always, the event saw a healthy turnout of vendors from the local community, across the state of Kansas, and several neighboring states.
Woods says not only does the Great American Market drive residents to the unique products available from said vendors, he says it is also a great driver for the local economy, specifically established businesses in the downtown corridor.
Speaking of established businesses, Woods says it is very likely that when you are walking down the Commercial Street corridors during the market, you may be looking at a small operation that is in the very early stages of one day growing into a local staple business, either in Emporia or elsewhere. He says that is one of the great byproducts of the market, as it allows entrepreneurs to get various eyes on their products and a wealth of feedback.
As the market was closing down Saturday afternoon, Main Street was already signing up vendors for the 2026 rendition of the event.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News & Emporia Main Street
