Historic Valley Junction Farmers Market

Historic Valley Junction Farmers Market runs under the umbrella of the Historic Valley Junction Foundation, the organization that guides the evolution of the original Valley Junction district and hosts events including this market. On Thursdays from May through September, the market fills the 100–300 blocks of 5th Street in West Des Moines with vendors, performers, and linked district programming. That setup gives the market a distinct downtown-street feel: produce and flowers share the corridor with art, music, kids' activities, and special-event nights tied to the surrounding Valley Junction Main Street District.

Why it matters locally

The Historic Valley Junction Foundation hosts the farmers market as part of its work guiding the original Valley Junction district, tying the market directly to the stewardship of this historic West Des Moines business area. The market is not a standalone parking-lot setup; it is placed along 5th Street inside the Valley Junction Main Street District, where businesses, galleries, and event spaces are part of the same footprint.

That local role shows up in the market's Thursday calendar. Rev It Up Car Show nights run on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from May through August on Elm Street, while the Handmade Market is also scheduled on 1st and 3rd Thursdays at the Valley Junction Activity Center. Music in the Junction adds a beverage garden in Railroad Park at 5:00 and live music at 6:00 during the market season, connecting food shopping with evening programming in the district.

What you'll find there

The mix here extends beyond farm stands alone. Along the 100–300 blocks of 5th Street, the market combines food vendors with artists, performers, nonprofit spotlights, and family activity areas, so a walk through the market can include shopping, live entertainment, and district events in the same evening.

• -Find Little Deer Farm for saffron, saffron products, vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
• -Catch Nan’s Nummies during Rev It Up Car Show programming at the market.
• -Watch Mission Improvisational Dance Company as part of the market’s performing artist lineup.
• -See Lottie Glazebrook featured as a performing artist.
• -Hear Chet Reagan in the performing artist schedule.
• -Spot Elvis Incognito among the market performers.
• -Look for Twizted Things Balloons in the performing artist roster.
• -Visit West Homestead’s Healing Heard in the nonprofit and educational spotlight group.
• -Stop by Heartland Swing, also listed under nonprofit and educational spotlights.
• -Explore ISU Spark through the market’s nonprofit and educational spotlight programming.
• -Browse Unseen Art & Photography vendors including Jade Cate in the 100–200 blocks.
• -Check the same art-and-photography grouping for 2 Dots 1 Line.
• -Find Clay listed with the Unseen Art & Photography vendors in the 100–200 blocks.

During the season, the market schedule also layers in The Lil’ Sprouts Play Patch Kid’s Zone with games, toys, and activities, plus Music in the Junction with Decoy Trio listed as a band for that series. On 1st and 3rd Thursdays from May through August, Elm Street hosts Rev It Up Car Show nights, and the Valley Junction Activity Center hosts a Handmade Market on those same Thursdays.

Know before you go

Parking is free, and this market has more than 900 public parking spaces, with lots accessible from 4th and 6th streets and pedestrian walkways leading to the market along Fifth Street. Free on-street parking also surrounds the farmers market.

The market is set on 5th Street in Valley Junction, specifically the 100–300 blocks during the main season, with September noted for the 100 and 200 blocks. Restrooms are available at the Valley Junction Activity Center at 217 5th, and guest services are listed at the Historic Valley Junction Foundation office at 137 5th. Dogs are welcome, which can matter if you're planning an evening walk through the district.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP/EBT is accepted at the Historic Valley Junction Farmers Market. The market also indicates that payment methods are clearly communicated for shoppers, which is useful at a market that mixes farm vendors, prepared-food sellers, and specialty booths across several blocks of 5th Street.