The Columbus Board of Works has approved closing First Street and a portion of Washington Street on Saturday for the first Columbus Farmers Market of the season at its new location behind Columbus City Hall downtown. The market will be open from from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 123 Washington St.
The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department developed a list of guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic for the free, weekly event that runs Saturdays through Sept. 19, rain or shine.
The market will limit itself to 20 vendors on opening weekend, selling everything from plants to produce and coffee to crafts.
Other guidelines include:
- Proper social distancing will be recommended for vendors and customers.
- Space between vendors will be increased.
- Extra hand washing stations and sanitization will be available.
- Social aspects of the market (entertainment, food vendors, seating areas, etc.) will be phased-in slowly over the summer.
- Appropriate personal protection equipment will be encouraged and used by all market staff.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Changes to the market” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
The market’s Facebook page posted a message about the upcoming opening:
If individuals feel ill, or simply do not feel comfortable attending the market, we encourage them to stay at home and check out Market Connection, a tab on our website featuring vendors who have elected to provide contact info for their business to the public. For the time being, we are limiting many social aspects of the market. As of June 6th, the following will be unavailable/not allowed — no public restrooms, no pets, we will not have bands, no entertainment shows or demos, no public seating, no on site food and drink preparation, etc. We are limiting the number of vendors, and increasing the space in between each booth. All city market employees are required to wear masks, and all other market participants are strongly encouraged to do the same. Prominent signage will be posted around the market to promote social distancing and other hygiene practices. Vendors are required to have a sanitation or wash station in their booths to use between transactions.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
