Steamboat Springs — The town of Yampa is mostly known as being the “Gateway to the Flat Tops,” but the small South Routt community is hoping to develop a new, exciting image with its laid back, yet high-energy farmer’s markets.

“It’s definitely new energy for Yampa. People are into it,” said Yampa’s Michelle Mahosky. “It’s a celebration of the Yampa Valley and community members coming together.”

Mahosky is committee leader and organizer of the farmer’s markets, a creation of “Friends of Gateway Yampa,” an ad-hoc under the South Routt Economic Development Council. The first farmer’s market took place Aug. 22 at River Park, with the second planned event set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday near Antler’s Café.

“The first one was fairly successful … it was definitely South Routt style,” Mahosky said. “We had a steady stream of people coming in wanting fresh produce. We actually sold out. We have more this time and are hoping to definitely get more people down.”

Mahosky and her husband operate Yampa Homegrown, a small community farm. She said the market would attract vendors from as far as Palisade and the Front Range to Yampa on Saturday.

And while the market is at the heart of the event, there will be plenty of entertainment value to go with it Saturday. At noon, Steamboat Pirate Theater will perform “Wild West Shenanigans” at Antler’s Café, with a local bluegrass band serving up live music throughout the day.

There will also be a vintage sidewalk sale, a petting zoo and face painting for the kids, as well as a horseshoe and wood cutting tournament for the adults.

Mahosky hopes to make this a yearly event. Friends of Gateway Yampa was created last winter with the goal of “beautifying” the town, and the market in August served as the first big event the group had organized.

“There was a group that worked on flower barrels and getting Main Street looking good for the summer time,” Mahosky said, citing just one example of the work done by the organization. “I’d love the market to grow and have local musicians come in. There is a lot of talent here in South Routt.”

The town of Yampa is located approximately 30 miles south of Steamboat Springs on Colo. Highway 131.

To reach Austin Colbert, call 970-871-4204, email acolbert@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @Austin_Colbert