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SALT LAKE CITY — Lots of people were seen wearing masks at the downtown Salt Lake City Farmers Market Saturday, but that’s not all that was different this year.
The downtown Salt Lake City Farmers Market has always been a crowd-favorite during summer Saturdays.
Last weekend was kind of the practice to see how things could go, then this weekend, all the safety precautions were put in place.
A lot of it still seems the same, but this year, it sounds different. Everything is so much quieter.
“Normally, when the market opens at 8am, it’s usually like a free-for-all and a shopping frenzy,” said Fusako Tomiyama. “And we noticed it was actually very, very quiet this morning.”
Tomiyama is one of the vendors selling produce at the Farmers Market. She’s been doing it for eight years.
Part of the reason why she thinks it’s quieter this year is because there isn’t any live music, arts and crafts demonstrations, and playgrounds open for kids.
They were all taken out of the Farmers Market to try and keep people from gathering in one area.
“In years past, I think there were a lot more people who were here for just the ambience,” said Kent Pyne, who was selling apple cider at his Pyne Farms booth. “But the people that are here, they’re buying.”
Most people were wearing masks.
The Farmers Market is asking everyone to wear one, which makes seeing old friends a little tougher.
“I had one regular customer — sunglasses, hat, and a mask — and she said, ‘hi, how you doing?’ Took me a few seconds to register who it was,” said Pyne with a laugh.
Vendors also must wear masks, and have supplies on hand to keep things clean.
“We’ve got our soap and our water and our hand sanitizer,” said Tomiyama.
It’s still the Farmers Market, just different.
“This is our new reality, and hopefully it’s a temporary reality,” said Tomiyama.
