After last year’s return to essentials-only farmers markets amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, vendors, organizers and marketgoers are all looking forward to this season’s return to the full market experience — minus the bouncy castles though.
“After we were shut down in March 2020, we came back as safely as we could,” said Charleston’s office of cultural affairs director Scott Watson. “But we came back in a way that was not recognizable to the broad general public. We were running essentials-only markets in parking lots … there were brief moments where we were limiting attendance and keeping head-counts. But as things got better, and as vaccinations became available, we were able to open things back up to their pre-pandemic level.”
Last year’s market saw vendors and visitors wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and enjoying the market with no prepared food vendors, no live entertainment and no activities. Sanitation stations and signs guiding visitors through the market pockmarked the space. But this year’s return will bring back live music and more. There’s still no bouncy castle though, because children under 5 are still unable to be vaccinated, Watson said.
The last few planned markets have been canceled due to weather and wind concerns, with only a small market held March 26 for vendors to sell their produce. So that means this weekend (April 9) marks the official grand opening of the market season, with Marion Square’s market opening with every guest and vendor welcome.
“It’s nice to see it all coming back together, and at the moment, we’re feeling like we’re on track to have a good year and grow the market as we go,” Watson said. “By the time we get to Spoleto … we feel we will be operating at full-tilt.”
The Wednesday West Ashley Farmers Market will open a bit later, aiming for the far side of the school Spring break, Watson said. “We have a good program out there — it’s smaller, but people are really appreciative and the vendors enjoy being there.”
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