Started in 2019 by Rustling Aspen Farm’s Chris Pyper, Midway’s seasonal market runs Saturdays in Town Square through Oct. 31. Vendors say weather tested the season, but community ties and a growing vendor list sustained it.
This season faced drought, monsoon rains and hail that challenged growers, yet vendors report steady community support and meaningful customer connections.
The market’s final day, Oct. 31, will include trunk-or-treating for kids and a late-season selection of storable produce such as greens, root vegetables, winter squash, onions and garlic.
Growers and makers described 2026 as a difficult growing season. Drought across the state reduced yields for some operations. September brought intense monsoon rains and hail that caused additional crop losses. For newer farms this year, those conditions compounded the learning curve of what to plant and when.
Despite the weather, vendors said the market's social and commercial value remained strong. Velvet Acre Farms' Jacee Andersen called it a season of experimentation and community learning as she determined which crops fit the farm and where to sell them. Casperville Creations' Sierra Prothers said the hail in September affected production but the market remained a highlight of her season, citing regular customers and a dependable vendor community.
Pyper, who opened Rustling Aspen Farm in 2018 and started the market the following year, said expansion has been mostly organic. Vendors typically reach out after hearing about the market rather than through formal recruitment. Over the last couple of years the vendor count doubled, and Pyper attributes that to Midway's growing reputation as a local food hub.
Vendor mix now includes produce farms and specialty producers such as Lonehawk Lavender Farm, Summit Valley Honey, Sovereign Gardenz (mushrooms) and Hawk and Sparrow Sourdough Bread. Pyper emphasized the market's role in offering local, seasonally stored foods through the colder months.
Final-day plans and what's available
The market's last Saturday this season falls on Halloween, and organizers plan trunk-or-treating to encourage families and close out the season on a community note. Even at the end of October, shoppers can expect a selection of late-season and storage-friendly items: leafy greens, root vegetables, winter squash, onions and garlic. Pyper said these are the kinds of products customers can store and use through late fall.
The market meets at Midway Town Square every Saturday through Oct. 31. The Halloween closing day will include activities for kids alongside the usual vendor stalls.
Velvet Acre Farms keeps U-Pick legacy on 7-acre plot in Midway - Park Record
It's finally fall in the Valley! Spend the season visiting pumpkin patches and apple orchards, and doing all the spooky things!
Many people don’t realize that their food comes from a farm or that it just doesn’t appear in their local market. Miller Farms in Platteville is out to change that and show folks of all ages what happens on a real working farm. From Monday, September 7, 2026, through mid-November, you can take... Read this entire post
There was a line of customers Tuesday for the last harvest of corn.
There was a line of customers Tuesday for the last harvest of corn.
The clock is officially ticking on the Halloween season.
Loading more related stories...
Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.