Dennis Moffat, Owner/Manager of The Market at Red Deer (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman

2020 season postponed indefinitely

Red Deer Public Market may postpone 50th anniversary celebrations to next year

Apr 7, 2020 | 2:37 PM

It looks as though 50th anniversary celebrations may have to wait until next year for the Red Deer Public Market.

Open from May Long Weekend through Thanksgiving weekend each year, has become one of the city’s most popular annual attractions over the course of five decades.

But with all recreation and culture facilities in Red Deer, including outdoor amenities, closed until at least June 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and with all special event permits cancelled until then, the market may have to wait until 2021 before holding celebrations marking its half-century milestone.

Owner/manager Dennis Moffatt describes it as a crushing blow.

“It’s very disappointing, we were looking forward to the 50th,” says Moffat. “I really feel badly for the vendors who are missing out. But I understand it, as we’re probably one of the biggest crowds that gathers, and with the virus, that’s the worst thing to have it spread, is crowds.”

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With the scheduled May 16 opening of the market no longer possible, Moffatt is hoping the 2020 season can still be salvaged during the summer.

“City officials have assured me that if possible, we’ll get to open, but I don’t know when,” he explains. “If it goes past July, there’s really not much point in opening it.”

Moffatt says about 200 vendors will be impacted.

“For some it’s pretty well the main source of their income,” he exclaims. “For others it’s additional income, but it’s part of their overall economic existence. So it’s very important to the vendors and it’s important for the people too, to get out on Saturday morning.”

Moffatt encourages affected vendors to contact him for contingency plans (403-346-6443).

“If they just go on Facebook or the internet and put their wares online and arrange for some sort of pickup or delivery, that way they could probably do a little bit of business,” says Moffatt. “Our business is providing a place and an opportunity for the vendors, so it’s up to them to make their sales pitch.”

Moffat acknowledges the integral part of summer that the Market plays in Red Deer each year, but admits, “We’re all in this together”.

“We’re as disappointed as anybody and we’re hoping for the best,” says Moffatt. “The most important thing is for our community to get as healthy as possible and avoid this plague.”