CARP – Great news for farmers, vendors and Saturday-afternoon shoppers, the Carp Farmers’ Market will open Saturday, June 20.

It’s been an impossible start for what is the 30th year of the popular market thanks to fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Market organizers cancelled the popular Easter market and every other spring market day since.

It was with great relief for those small farms and producers who make a big portion of their revenue from the Carp Farmers’ Market as well as the shoppers who enjoy a Saturday afternoon at the market when manager Ennio Marcantonio announced June 14 the first market of the season will happen Saturday, June 20.

“We have some exciting news to share with all of you,” Marcantonio released in a statement. “Over the past few months our Carp Farmers’ Market organizers have been working non-stop behind the scenes with the hopes of reopening our market. We are so happy to announce the first market day of the season will be Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This will not be ‘business as usual.’”

The market is instituting some COVID-19 guidelines for shoppers this Saturday.

The market is encouraging the use of masks by both vendors and shoppers and will have several hand sanitizer stations set up around the market. Organizers are limiting the number of vendors to 35 “to allow for optimal distancing between booths.”

The market will encourage shoppers to pre-order products online. There will be only one entrance and one exit and organizers will limit the number of customers in the market.

“We ask that you make your purchases as quickly as possible so that other customers have a chance to shop too,” Marcantonoi said.

No pets will be permitted at this time. Service animals are welcome; no reusable bags, containers or bottles at this time; do not touch products; and “please be patient and kind to one another. We are all doing our best.”

Safety guidelines aside, people are just excited to see the market back.

“We know this is exciting news for many and we are very happy to be back in business,” Marcantonio said. “The health and safety of our community of loyal customers, dedicated local producers and market staff remain our top priority. We know there will be bumps along the way. As we get accustomed to this new normal, we ask for your patience. Please be prepared to wait in line before entering the market area. Despite all these changes we can’t wait to start connecting you with our amazing group of local producers once again.”