It’s the week before Mother’s Day, so that means it is official farmer’s market season in Waldport and Yachats.
The Waldport Wednesday Market launches its 2022 season on Wednesday, May 4 and runs through the fall. Waldport Beachcomber Days now organizes the outdoor market featuring crafts, farm produce and food in the parking lot of the community center, 265 N.W. Hemlock St.
Yachats’ popular Sunday Farmer’s Market returns on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, with a full vendor slate and an easing of some pandemic requirements the past two years.
Running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its traditional location on West Fourth Street just off U.S. Highway 101, the Yachats market will have some 35 vendors selling pottery, produce, jewelry, flowers, glass art, food and more.
“We have more vendors this year than we’ve had in the last two years,” said Mary Ellen O’Shaughnessey, who coordinates the market’s volunteers. “We’re really excited.”
In a big change from the pandemic-era restrictions, masks will be optional and dogs will be allowed. “It’s everyone’s decision to mask or not,” said O’Shaughnessey.
In addition, dogs will not only be allowed, but some volunteers will be available to “dog-sit” leashed pups while their owners shop or sell. “We want people to have a good experience,” she said.
All of last year’s nine volunteers are returning and more volunteers are welcomed. “We’re going to be greeting people who are already happy” to be at the market, O’Shaughnessey said. People who want to volunteer can call O’Shaughnessey at 217-649-2339.
The market will be open each Sunday through the second weekend in October.
The big Newport’s Farmer’s Market is already underway, running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through October in the parking lot at the corner of Highway 101 and Angle Street.