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Farmers market draws steady vendor revenue despite lower attendance, board says
Summary
A 2025 farmers market report to the Waupaca Common Council said vendor counts and per-vendor revenue rose even as overall Saturday visitor counts fell to about 1,344; the market board plans increased marketing to return attendance toward a 2,000-goal.
The Waupaca farmers market had a successful vendor season in 2025 even as overall attendance declined, the market representative told the city council.
Ryan Brown reported that the market now has roughly 22 regular vendors and five or six daily/occasional spots, offering about 84 different items. "We receive roughly 1,344 visitors every Saturday," Brown said, noting this was down by about 600 visitors from the previous year but that vendors on average are earning more. Brown said average on-site spending per visitor is about $32.6 and that visitors also spend roughly $43 at neighboring businesses.
The market board plans to increase social-media marketing and coordinate more closely with local businesses and arts organizations in hopes of boosting weekly attendance back toward a prior goal of roughly 2,000 visitors. Brown said the out-of-state visitors—about 10% of Saturday attendees—are a beneficial source of tourism dollars for the city.
Council received the report and asked no follow-up motions; the update was informational.
