Cobourg Farmers’ Market Draws a Record Number of People

Pete Fisher
4 years ago
• Categories: Community, Local

The second week of the Cobourg Farmer’s Market was a huge success.

In fact, Cobourg Farmers’ Market Manger, Laura Berman said there was a record number of people attending at the Rotary Harbourfont Park.

This year they are expecting 35 seasonal vendors which includes seven new vendors.

On Saturday, May 15, 2021 along with produce a number of vendors were selling crafts, jewellery, embroidery, other non-essential items and even Zumba dancing.

Berman said that the market was busier this Saturday than last weekend.

“A lot of vendors who brought twice as much last week even sold out.”

A number of people voiced their concerns over the selling of non-essential items on social media including Lindy Thompson who said, “in Ontario’s ridiculous lockdown, exercise classes can’t run, even if they do it outside.”

“The craft stores must also be closed and can only do curbside, but they can sell crafts at the Farmer’s Market still during this time. You can’t have a yard sale type setting at your own home and sell your own crafts, but loophole, you can do it at the Farmer’s Market.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s just not fair,” said Thompson.

“Will the gathering of people who may stop to participate in the Zumba exercise at the farmer’s market get fines today?”

“Doubt it.”

Berman added that even though they weren’t keeping track on the number of people entering the Farmers’ Market, the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit Inspectors, “ok’ed us having a small number of non-food vendors at the market.”

“Out of a total of 34 vendors, there were four selling non-essentials. In a normal year we are allowed a ratio of 51% to 49% food/crafts.”

Berman added, “the Zumba was intended as demo only.

“I became aware that some shoppers joined in and though all were wearing masks and distanced themselves, we have decided, in the interests of safety, not to repeat that.”