Downtown Farmers’ Market to open July 22 at new location

“The main catalyst for the change in location is actually the 3 Avenue construction project,” said Mike Warkentin, Chief Operating Officer of Exhibition Park.

The downtown market has been held in the Festival Square area for over a decade.

“I think this is going to be a fantastic home and increase the walking traffic to the local businesses here on 2 Avenue.”

Ted Stilson, executive director of the BRZ, said local businesses along Festival Square have benefitted from the farmers’ market in years past, and he expects the same for outlets in the new location.

Lethbridge News Now asked Stilson if the BRZ had any concerns on attendance, with COVID-19 still in the minds of many.

“I think there’s always gonna be that [concerns]. I think we’re seeing that with the general economy, with business, with the mall, with everything. Some people are comfortable with it already, some people are still hesitant, I think we’ll find that here,” he said.

“One of the advantages of 2 Avenue is, this is a wider street than Festival Square so it’s going to give the vendors a lot of opportunity and the people that come to the market an opportunity to physical distance, because we’ll be able to spread the vendors more than we normally would on Festival Square.”

Ted Stilson says the new location provides a larger space for vendors and consumers (Lethbridge News Now)

Warkentin added that attendance to the Saturday market at Exhibition Park has been steadily increasing, and the larger space has played a part in that.

He hopes the same can be said for the upcoming outdoor market.

Like the indoor event, the downtown market will maintain safety protocols for vendors as well as attendees.

“The health and safety of our vendors, our consumers and our staff is absolutely paramount. We’ll ensure that all vendors coming into the market have completed a screening on the day of the market to ensure that it is safe for them to participate here,” Warkentin said.

“At this time, we are encouraging mask wearing, we’re encouraging physical barriers with the vendors and we’re encouraging touchless payment methods. However, at this point in time we are not mandating those. They are heavily encouraged, and our staff will be in masks and PPE.”

Like the Saturday showcase, the outdoor market will include one designated entrance point and a separate exit point.

The bathrooms at Galt Gardens, across the street from the new location, will be open for both consumers and vendors.

Warkentin said they’re expecting about 20 to 25 vendors for the July 22 opening day.

He added that once a vendor map is finalized for the outdoor space, a maximum number of attendees at one time will be determined.

Exhibition Park is also encouraging consumers to avoid bringing reusable bags to the market. Vendors on the other hand, are mandated to use brand-new bags and bag purchases for customers.

Warkentin added that Exhibition Park is proud to be involved in the market, noting the agriculture industry is “an enormous economic engine” for southern Alberta.

“The farmers’ market gives a showcase for all these local producers that may not have the opportunity to have openness to market,” he said.

“We’re very proud at Exhibition Park to actually allow that showcase. The downtown farmers’ market is a unique addition to that portfolio, but it’s the main connection that we’re able to connect the urban population of Lethbridge to the rural surrounding area.”

Warkentin noted that at this point, they are not sure when both the outdoor and indoor markets will end for the season, as Exhibition Park continues to monitor the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

by Justin Goulet

Downtown Farmers’ Market to open July 22 at new location

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