CHIMACUM —The Chimacum Farmers Market will reopen for the season on Sunday, although it will operate differently from previous years due to social distancing and sanitation requirements.
The market at 9122 Rhody Drive will open at 10 a.m. for seniors and immunocompromised people to shop safely.
At 11 a.m., it will open to the general public until 2 p.m.
The weekly market is set to continue through October.
Like the Port Townsend Farmers Market, Chimacum has offered entertainment for children in past years as well as live music and other activities during the farmers market.
Because of the state restrictions put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, the market had shifted to strictly shopping to benefit local farmers.
“As a very small nonprofit organization, we are prioritizing ensuring local food access for our community through the Port Townsend Farmers Market, our new online store as well as the Chimacum Farmers,” said Amanda Milholland, Washington State Farmers Market Association regional lead.
Now it has added arts and crafts vendors.
“Just last week, we got permission to have art and craft vendors join the Port Townsend and Chimacum farmers markets,” Milholland said.
“It’s because we are in Phase 2, and outdoor retail is allowed during Phase 2, and arts and crafts fall into that,” she said. “So we are really excited to be able to welcome them back.”
The Chimacum Farmers Market will look a little different than it did last year, as it will require shoppers to practice social distancing and to wear face coverings. (Photo courtesy of Rodney Just)
All vendors will be wearing masks and gloves. They will clean touched surfaces regularly. Hand-washing and sanitizing stations also will be available, Milholland said.
The Jefferson County Farmers Market Association is asking customers to wear face masks as well as the vendors, and the association will provide masks for those who may not have them.
“Part of Phase 2 in Jefferson County has come with the strong recommendation from our public health department and Dr. (Tom) Locke that people wear face coverings when they are out in settings where it’s hard to maintain 6 feet (social distancing) at all times,” Milholland said.
“While we are doing our best to make sure that there is plenty of space for physical distancing at the farmers market, we are also asking that our shoppers come with a face mask, and now we are providing a face mask for folks if they forget theirs,” she added.
Jefferson County moved into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s four-phased plan to re-open and restart Washington’s economy on Monday, the same day the state’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order expired.
Farmers markets have been allowed to operate since the beginning of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order in March because they provide food access.
The Chimacum Farmers Market began in 2008.
The Jefferson County Farmers Market Association adopted the event in 2010, so it marks this year as its 10th anniversary.
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Reporter Ken Park can be reached at kpark@peninsuladailynews.com.
