Vendors celebrate return of Ligonier Market
Ligonier Country Market looks a little different this year, but the hundreds of eager shoppers looked pretty much the same as always Saturday.
“Everyone wanted to come out and see happy faces,” said Sherrie Okert, who sells herbs and tomato plants at the Broken Locust tent.
The weekly market opened May 23, a week later than planned. That gave organizers time to figure out coronavirus mitigation strategies, said executive director Cari Frei. On Saturday, she wore a mask featuring the Ligoiner Country Markets logo.
Shoppers and attendees are asked to wear masks. Free masks, gloves and hand sanitizer are available. Shoppers are asked to keep to the right side of the outdoor aisles to prevent crowding.
The first two weeks only featured food and plant vendors. Crafters will return Saturday, Frei said.
“We’re considered an essential business because of the produce we sell, so we’re allowed to add the crafters back in and still be under those essential guidelines,”
Most — but not all — shoppers followed the mask requirement Saturday.
Vendors say they’re grateful the pandemic hasn’t dampened shoppers’ enthusiasm. Okert of Broken Locust said this is her third year at the market, which is responsible for a large portion of her yearly sales.
“It’s pretty much the same,” she said. “It’s a little more organized, with the one-way traffic.”
Sherri Vizzuett runs the Cinco De Mayo Salsas booth. She said this week was even busier than last Saturday, partly because of the pleasant weather, and partly because of positive feedback after opening day.
“I think people are feeling more comfortable, they had to get the reports on how the first week went,” she said.
Frei said the market is a chance to get outside, do some shopping and support their favorite local vendors — a chance they haven’t had for the last few months.
“Everybody’s happy, and I think it’s a combination of being back to a little bit of normalcy… part of it is being outside, and I think the other part is that there’s so many festivals that have been cancelled already that I think they’re happy we can stay open,” she said.
The market is celebrating its 45th season. It’s held 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays at the Loyalhanna Watershed Association Farm, off West Main Street and Route 30 in Ligonier Township. A new night market will be held from 5-9 p.m. every third Thursday through October starting June 18 at the Ligonier Diamond.
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