As the Province implements new public health measures due to rising COVID-19 cases, holiday market organizers are once again adjusting their operations.
“It was really difficult to get clear direction as far as the new restrictions went,” said Candice Kolson, owner of the Airdrie Farmers’ Market. “Through some lobbying and the intervention of our MLA Angela Pitt, we were able to get some clear direction and move forward.”
The Airdrie Farmers’ Market is set to have its second market of the holiday season Dec. 5 at the Town and Country Centre – a previous market occured in November. Kolson said confirming the market would be able to run was a huge relief for organizers.
According to Kolson, the Alberta government approved markets registered under Alberta Agriculture to move forward. She added there are many markets, like the Airdrie Farmers’ Market, that don’t run under Alberta Agriculture and are classified as public markets. This means they are monitored by Alberta Health Services.
“In the new guidelines there was no mention of public markets,” Kolson said. “They did mention outdoor Christmas markets, along with licensed and unlicensed markets. Well, we are a licensed market, so there was a lot of miscommunication as far as the categories of markets.”
Having successfully run the November edition, Kolson said the Airdrie Farmers’ Market team was confident they would be able to abide by the new restrictions to ensure people could still enjoy the event.
“We were actually able to keep it under capacity at the last one, so we are confident we can do the same at this one,” she said.
Mandatory masking, 25 per cent capacity restrictions, sanitizing stations and curbside pickup are just a few of the new measures that will make the Dec. 5 market look a little different than people are used to.
Kolson said COVID-19 has made organizing the events difficult this year.
“We are not going to sugar coat it; it has been tough, but we have been so fortunate to run these events,” she said. “It has been very touch and go. It has been a hard year, but we are fortunate the community has come out and support us.”
One notable addition, Kolson said, is curbside pickup, where market-goers can make arrangements with a specific vendor to pick up pre-purchased items from outside the venue.
Kolson expected 42 vendors at the market. In a normal year, she said, the venue would have room for 72 vendors. She noted the current number of vendors fluctuates because many have had to pull out as the date nears.
“Every day, somebody else seems to become a close contact,” Kolson said. “When that happens, people are forced to self-isolate which means, unfortunately, there may be some last-minute cancellations.”
Compared to last year’s holiday markets, Kolson said foot traffic has been down 67 per cent, which has also resulted in a decreased amount of donations for the Airdrie Food Bank – the cost of admission to enter the market.
“We are hoping that people who come in are just as generous to the food bank,” she said. “We don’t have a set admission fee. All we ask is that people who attend bring a donation for the food bank, whether it be cash or food.”
Unfortunately, the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie (BGCA) has not been as lucky, as they recently announced the cancellation of their annual holiday market due to the new restrictions.
“Even though the event is cancelled, hopefully people will choose to shop local,” said Kathy Ritcher, manager of events with BGCA.
Ritcher said despite the cancellation, everyone has been positive. While the market has always been a fundraiser for BGCA programming, Ritcher has been pleased with the community reaction.
“It was a feel-good moment for me after a kind of crappy day,” she said. “I have had nothing but positive feedback so far.”
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
