The Airdrie Farmers Market will be hosting its largest-ever markets this year, with expanded offerings for its upcoming season, including additional rotating food trucks and more full-time vendors than ever before.
According to Candice Kolson, the manager of the weekly market, there will be twice the number of food trucks offered in 2021 than at previous year’s iterations. She added the food trucks will be rotated each week to offer the widest variety of food options possible for market attendees.
“Some of the more exciting news we have – we'll be offering six trucks or more every week,” Kolson said. “Like our local The Caffeinated Squirrel truck, Kona Ice, and Calgary Mini Donuts.
“You’ll find everything from barbecue and poutine to Italian subs and breakfast.”
She added the outdoor market will kick off the 2021 season on June 2 at the Plainsmen Arena in The Village neighbourhood, with eleven more regular vendors than previous years, as well as pre-booked vendors that may drop in every other week or on occasion to sell their merchandise.
“We’re actually opening probably the largest market we have ever had as far as variety and booked vendors,” Kolson said.
The late-spring, summer and fall market, which will run every Wednesday afternoon until Thanksgiving, follows the Airdrie Farmers Market’s April 3 Spring Fling event at the Town and Country Centre, which Kolson said was a resounding success.
“I think that the farmers market has a really good following with some loyal shoppers and we’ve done everything up until this point to help people stay comfortable and safe,” she said. “Same with keeping our vendors safe, that’s always been really important to us.”
She noted foot traffic dropped last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people were more wary of venturing out to crowded markets – especially since they can buy directly from many of the vendors instead.
But as vaccination rates continue to pick up, Kolson said she is expecting foot traffic to return to normal levels this season.
“More people…are leaving their homes and trying to get out there, looking for something to do, and we want them to do that safely,” she said.
With the anticipated return of pre-pandemic foot traffic, Kolson said the market will once again be implementing public health protocols to comply with Alberta Health regulations, including mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, and available hand sanitizer on site.
The outdoor market will cover the entire parking lot of the Plainsmen Arena, as well as the adjacent baseball field, with Jensen Park nearby for additional lounging space.
“There’s a lot of places for shade and for kids to play,” Kolson said. “There’s lots of parking in the area, we just ask people to be patient and do a circle – you’ll always find a place to park.”
She added there may be some construction on nearby Smith Street during the summer, and encouraged patrons to look for detours and make use of the market’s multiple entrance points. Kolson said she thinks this will allow for safer lineups and better spacing at the market.
The markets will be hosted rain or shine, and Kolson commented that previous years’ attendances were unhindered by poor weather conditions.
“People come in the rain, they come in the sun, and we’re happy to host them,” she said.
A detailed list of vendors and food trucks can be found at airdriefarmersmarket.com under the “What’s Happening” section.
Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy
