To encourage citizen interaction, the new Downtown Casper Community Farmers Market will be held on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer, according to the group's president, Nick Azar.

"We wanted it to be a social event more than just a farmers' market for people to buy produce and leave," Azar said. "We wanted people to be able to come after work, have a glass of wine, let the kids have fun."

The market will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning July 22 and ending Sept. 23. It will be held at the Nicolaysen Art and Discovery Center parkway at Second and Beech streets.

Azar said that live music, some prepared food and, of course, produce will be available. Kids' activities will be available throughout the events.

The market will also be open to a new chef each week. The chef will exchange ideas with community members and create and share recipes based on vegetables, meats and cheeses available at the market.

One nonprofit each week will also be invited, Azar said, so it can solicit volunteers and donors from the crowd.

"You may or may not know about a charity somewhere, but this is one way to find out," he said. "They can come in here and spread the word around."

The new market will allow people who may not otherwise find time to visit and communicate with one another.

"A friend can visit with another friend, a neighbor can visit with another neighbor - it will be more than just a farmers market," he said.

The new market also released its logo Wednesday, a bright work of graphic design by local artist Lisa Hulshizer.

With support from the Downtown Development Authority, Azar said he hopes the market will grow as time goes on.

"There's another farmers market on the west side of town, and what we want to do eventually is win them over and have a combined market," he said. "But for now we couldn't do it on Saturdays and that's fine."

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0589 or megan.lee@trib.com