The Yachats Farmers Market will open its season Sunday on its usual Mother’s Day starting date – but like everything else during the coronavirus pandemic it will be a lot different.
The only thing the same right now are its hours — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Instead of the usual 40 vendors selling everything from art to artichokes, the market will have 15-16 vendors selling only farm-raised goods including cut flowers and plants, food and health products. Markets selling farm and health products are considered “essential” by the state.
Booths will be spaced at least six feet apart and people will be directed by signs and monitors to walk east to west on West Fourth Street.
Masks will be required, said market manager George Mazeika. The Yachats Ladies Club will have a booth at the market entrance to sell masks to people without them.
No dogs or pets are permitted.
Vendors will be wearing masks and gloves and have hand sanitizer available, Mazeika said. There will also be a hand sanitizing station at the east entrance on Fourth Street.
Unfortunately, Mazeika said, market organizers are asking people not to stop on Fourth Street to socialize – one of the big attractions of the market – and maintain social distancing of being six feet apart.
“One of the great things about the market is that it is also a social event,” he said. “But we just can’t do that right now. For the time being this is how we have to go.”
Farmer’s markets started opening across Oregon last week. The Yachats market is using coronavirus guidelines from the Oregon Farmers Market Association to help guide its operations and meet state guidelines for crowds and business operations.
The market will also not advertise widely, other than on its own Facebook and the Yachats community pages, so as not to encourage out-of-area visitors.
Mazeika said market organizers have 43 vendors signed up for the May-to-October season. Those non-food vendors, who are primarily craftspeople, will be added back once local, regional or statewide regulations allow.
“We’d rather be over-secure right now,” he said.
I hope that the farmers market opening goes well. While I would be the first one to enjoy the hard fought fruits of farmers’ labors, there is no recovery from death. Unless and until Oregon has widespread testing, why would you elect to invite death to the community? I thought that it was a nice touch for the Yachats Commons sign to read “stay home,stay safe.” In the shadow of the sign, the farmers market entertains people from around the world. Incredible.