Lethbridge & District Exhibition COO Mike Warkentin at Tuesday's Farmers' Market announcement (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge Farmers’ Markets ready for 2021 season

Mar 17, 2021 | 8:07 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Over the last year, COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of many popular events.

Fortunately, the Lethbridge Farmers’ Markets were able to safely carry on. This year will be the same.

Lethbridge & District Exhibition’s COO, Mike Warkentin, said both the Saturday and Wednesday markets will be returning late this spring and summer, giving community members the chance to support local vendors.

“We didn’t know if people would be comfortable leaving their homes [last year] to attend the market, but when we did, when we opened it, the people of southern Alberta came out to support small businesses in record numbers,” Warkentin said.

The Saturday markets will start on May 8, on-going until October 9 and operating in the North Pavilion at Exhibition Park from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday.

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The Wednesday downtown markets will open on July 7, lasting through September 15. That market runs in partnership with the Downtown Lethbridge BRZ and will operate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2 Avenue South & 5 Street South, across from Galt Gardens.

Warkentin said Lethbridge & District Exhibition continues to monitor the current health situation to address changing event regulations and protocols. He said there will be capacity limits and vendors will be pre-screened before entering the market, with sanitization stations and physical distancing measures in place.

“We’re hoping to have more vendors. At this point in time, we’re anticipating having a similar map to what we had last year,” he said during a Farmers’ Market launch event Tuesday.

Warkentin added that Lethbridge & District Exhibition was “exceptionally surprised” and pleased with the community support last year, and he’s hoping for much of the same in 2021.

NEW PARTNERSHIP

In addition to hosting local vendors, Warkentin said they’ve entered a new partnership with Stirling-based Hickory Street BBQ, who will serve as the official ‘pit master’ at both farmers’ markets, including at a new ‘outdoor experience’ at the Saturday markets.

“There’s a new level of excitement and reasons to come down here on Saturday mornings and down to 2 Avenue on Wednesdays, so we do anticipate at least the same number of people, if not more to come to the markets this year,” he remarked.

“Throughout the process of working with this new partner, it has become apparent [that they have a] drive to innovate and bring the community together through an authentic culinary experience.”

Hickory Street BBQ will serve as the official ‘pit master’ for both the Saturday and Wednesday Lethbridge Farmers’ Markets (Lethbridge News Now)

Warkentin added the hope is to have an outdoor eating space set up, however, that’s contingent on protocols set in place by Alberta Health Services.

“We are very optimistic that things will be a little more open than they are today, however, delivering this in a safe and responsible way is our utmost priority, so doing that for the consumers that come to our market each week is our guarantee,” he said.

“As we’ve navigated the changing landscape of COVID-19, one thing hasn’t changed – our passion for bringing the community together in a safe and responsible way still burns as brightly as it ever has.”

Warkentin noted Lethbridge & District Exhibition is still taking applications for vendors at both farmers’ markets.

SMOKE, WIND & FIRE

Warkentin added that Lethbridge & District Exhibition, in partnership with Hickory Street BBQ, will host an ‘authentic BBQ’ competition this summer, called Smoke, Wind & Fire.

Further details will be provided in the coming weeks. Initial information on the competition is available here.