Farmers Market back in Farmin Park

After a year of confusion and uncertainty, Farmers Market at Sandpoint vendors and officials said they're glad to be home.

After a year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the market temporarily relocate to the nearby city parking lot, the market returned home to Farmin Park.

While not all of the 70 potential spaces were filled by vendors, market assistant Anna Woodward said a significant number turned out for opening day on May 1. And as importantly, a significant number of shoppers showed up as well.

"It was definitely a lot busier than many opening markets we've had in the past few years," she said.

The music, the grass and a mixture of vegetables, plants, hand-crafted items and baked goods are a variety that attract both vendors and shoppers alike.

"There's a large variety and there's something for everybody," Woodward said. "It's nice to be around."

Longtime vendor Robyn Roberts, who runs a floral and plant booth, said a return of the market — especially in Farmin Park — was welcomed by both vendors and shoppers alike.

"When they started music, I cried like a child," Roberts said. "A lady asked if I was all right and I just said, these are happy tears. This is my happy heart was spilling on my face. I didn't know what to say to her."

Robert said she was overcome in the moment because until the band started playing she didn't know until that moment if the music or the market would ever return to the park.

"It's nice to have life back, you know," she said.

After a year of chaos and challenges, Roberts said being back in Farmin Park, being back at the market was like being home.

"It's such a blessing. We're so blessed," she added. "So thankful we're here. People are so happy today."

Even though all of the spaces weren't filled, Roberts said the first market attracted a larger-than-normal number of both vendors and shoppers. That bit of normality, of life, back in the area means a great deal, she said.

"This is the first time I've seen anybody out," said Roberts. "It's first time I've hugged anybody in a year and a half, you know, and it's so incredible to see people that are here, people that didn't even come last year, because they were afraid, there was a lot of fear. Yeah, there's no more fear. No more fear."

Vickie Tenney shared Roberts' excitement about being back in the park and the launch of the 2021 market season. A longtime vendor — this summer marks her 23rd year with the market, Tenney said being in the park and seeing all the happy faces was a great feeling.

"It's great to come back," Tenney said. "This is all like family and so many of us, you know it's great to see each other again."

The return of the market is a bit of normalcy in what's been a crazy year, even though North Idaho was less so than many areas, she said. Tenney encouraged people to come down and experience the market for themselves — and support local farmers and craftspeople.

Bottom line, she said, the return of the market, being able to say hello to friends and enjoy a beautiful day in the park is wonderful.

"I think everybody's just, just happy," Tenney said. "You know, I see so many customers here with smiles on their faces and, and they're glad to be back."

The Sandpoint farmers market operates Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and Wednesdays, 3-5:30 p.m.