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FROM STAFF REPORTS

CALERA — A farmers market is returning to the city of Calera starting July 31, Calera Main Street has announced.

The historic downtown revitalization program will host the market in the Calera Courtyard located off 17th Avenue behind the downtown shops on Alabama 25. The market will be held every Friday from 4-7 p.m. beginning July 31 and running for eight weeks and possibly extending into the fall depending on attendance and availability of vendors.

“Our community needs this,” Calera Main Street Executive Director Jackie Batson said. “There are very few activities that families can get outside and enjoy. Calera Main Street hopes to provide many reasons for our neighbors to come downtown. We realize the summer growing season is almost over, but that is not stopping us! We will have a mix of growers offering fresh fruits and vegetables, handmade soaps and lotions, peanut butter, lemonade, baked goods, folk art and other handmade items which should provide a fun variety.”

The market will average 12-15 vendors plus a food truck each week. Anyone interested in becoming a vendor or a sponsor may reach out through the Calera Main Street Facebook page. Market sponsors for 2020 are Central State Bank, Sav Mor Food Outlet and the City of Calera.

“We hope people will kick off the weekend on Main Street,” Batson said. “We can stroll through the market, grab a bite to eat and check out the local shops downtown. We have opened four new businesses in our first nine months and have at least five more set to open before the end of the year.”

The Calera Main Street Farmers Market will be observing COVID-19 best practices including mask wearing, hand sanitizing and social distancing. See the Facebook event for a full list of guidelines.