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Helena had another successful run of market days during the summer of 2020 despite COVID-19. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

By NATHAN HOWELL | Special to the Reporter

HELENA – Every year residents look forward to the end of spring and start of summer when the Helena Market Days set up at the Helena Amphitheater, and after some uncertainty they will get that same pleasure this year.

Farmers and vendors officially began offering their fruits, vegetables and other products to guests when the event kicked off its eleventh year on Saturday, June 6.

Scot Newman, Helena Market Days chairman and organizer, explained that there were a number of changes made to help better accommodate those who still had concerns about the COVID-19 epidemic.

“We are following all CDC guidelines. All of our tents for vendors and farmers are 6-feet apart, and we have added curbside pickup for those who are not comfortable walking around,” Newman explained.

Customers who are interested in curbside should watch a video on the event’s Facebook page where they will post information about farmers and vendors offering the services. The customer will then directly contact the vendors. Upon arrival, there will be a designated parking space for curbside pickup, and your order will be safely brought out to you.

According to Newman, during the pandemic he coordinated with some of the same vendors and farms to put together produce boxes from extra goods they were not using to deliver to families in need. This project is actually still going on now, and is being fueled by the farms participating in the Market Days.

City Council President Hewy Woodman serves as the council liaison for the Market Days committee and praised the event for the service it provides to the community.

“It is an amazing group of volunteers who go went out of their way to get this state approved farmer’s market. They connect local farmers and artisans to the community,” Woodman said.

Helena Market Days is scheduled to run every Saturday through Aug. 29 beginning at 8 a.m. each morning. Newman mentioned that they were considering either extending further into the year, or offering curbside pickup longer, but no decision has been made yet.

More information about farmers, vendors, and the donation program can be found by visiting Facebook.com/The.Helena.Market.Days.

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