Roger Banister likes nothing better than to plant himself amid the Columbus Farmer’s Market downtown this time of year. As he has for years, Banister will be a part of two groups entertaining at the free outdoor market’s spring and summer season opening May 8 along First Street behind Columbus City Hall. The mandolin and banjo player for the Banister Family Bluegrass Band and Cottonpatch loves the harmony created by the market. “The farmer’s market brings people together in community and harmony,” Banister said. “On a bright, warm, sunny day, the outdoor market brings all the positive things in our world for us all to experience together. “Even the sound of banjos and bluegrass harmony singing sound better in that environment.” There you have it, produce purveyors — yet another sweet reason to visit the 50-vendor, rain-or-shine event hoping to build itself back into even more of the local life after the previous limits of the COVID-19 pandemic. The market will run each Saturday through Sept. 18 with the same time of 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All vendors, ranging from those selling coffee to crafts, will be masked, and organizers are encouraging visitors to wear masks. Spacing between vendors is being increased for safety. Jacob Hendricks, of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, is optimistic that opening weekend will be as upbeat as the Banister Family’s energetic tunes. “We are expecting and hoping for a great turnout for our market season kickoff,” Hendricks said, adding that he ideally would like to see perhaps 1,000 people pass through on that first Saturday. Last year, the market saw an average of 400 to 500 people per gathering, organizers estimated. But that was before people were vaccinated against COVID-19, and also during a period when virus cases were on the rise. Kim DeClue, of the five-member band Cottonpatch, is looking forward to a new market season. He’s particularly happy with the new location used last year to be used again this year. He mentioned that the previous locale at the Cummins Inc. parking lot “could get a little bit toasty” in the mid-summer sun. The First Street location, on the other hand, is near trees, which seems to keep the surroundings a bit cooler, according to DeClue. “The aesthetics of everything seems to be better,” DeClue said. He mentioned that the new season stands as a hopeful one for musical groups and others. Cottonpatch hopes to perform three of four times at the market. “I think everyone is hoping that things gradually are getting back to normal while at the same time paying necessary attention to precautions,” DeClue said. “We’re looking to try and be a part of opening things up a bit.”
Roger Banister likes nothing better than to plant himself amid the Columbus Farmer’s Market downtown this time of year.
As he has for years, Banister will be a part of two groups entertaining at the free outdoor market’s spring and summer season opening May 8 along First Street behind Columbus City Hall.
The mandolin and banjo player for the Banister Family Bluegrass Band and Cottonpatch loves the harmony created by the market.
“The farmer’s market brings people together in community and harmony,” Banister said. “On a bright, warm, sunny day, the outdoor market brings all the positive things in our world for us all to experience together.
“Even the sound of banjos and bluegrass harmony singing sound better in that environment.”
There you have it, produce purveyors — yet another sweet reason to visit the 50-vendor, rain-or-shine event hoping to build itself back into even more of the local life after the previous limits of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The market will run each Saturday through Sept. 18 with the same time of 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All vendors, ranging from those selling coffee to crafts, will be masked, and organizers are encouraging visitors to wear masks. Spacing between vendors is being increased for safety.
Jacob Hendricks, of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, is optimistic that opening weekend will be as upbeat as the Banister Family’s energetic tunes.
“We are expecting and hoping for a great turnout for our market season kickoff,” Hendricks said, adding that he ideally would like to see perhaps 1,000 people pass through on that first Saturday.
Last year, the market saw an average of 400 to 500 people per gathering, organizers estimated. But that was before people were vaccinated against COVID-19, and also during a period when virus cases were on the rise.
Kim DeClue, of the five-member band Cottonpatch, is looking forward to a new market season. He’s particularly happy with the new location used last year to be used again this year. He mentioned that the previous locale at the Cummins Inc. parking lot “could get a little bit toasty” in the mid-summer sun.
The First Street location, on the other hand, is near trees, which seems to keep the surroundings a bit cooler, according to DeClue.
“The aesthetics of everything seems to be better,” DeClue said.
He mentioned that the new season stands as a hopeful one for musical groups and others. Cottonpatch hopes to perform three of four times at the market.
“I think everyone is hoping that things gradually are getting back to normal while at the same time paying necessary attention to precautions,” DeClue said. “We’re looking to try and be a part of opening things up a bit.”
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What: Columbus Farmer’s Market along First Street behind Columbus City Hall, which is at 123 Washington St.
When: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays May 8 through Sept. 18, rain or shine.
Vendors: About 50 expected to open the market.
Admission: Free
Information: columbusfarmersmarket.org
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