Red Deer Farmers market (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Alessia Proietti

May 21: 52nd anniversary

“It’s a happy place”: The Market at Red Deer returns May long weekend

May 20, 2022 | 12:15 PM

It wouldn’t be May long in Red Deer if the Market wasn’t opening.

As per tradition, the Market at Red Deer, or more commonly known as “the Red Deer Market” will be opening this Saturday, May 21 from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

“It’s become something that identifies with Red Deerians,” said Patrick Moffat, co-manager of the Market alongside his sister Fiona. “It’s a meeting place for a lot of people; a great place to get all their products and meet vendors that have new things. It’s kind of a great way to spend Saturday morning.”

“It has a real spirit”

Located in the Servus Arena parking lot in downtown (4725 43 St), a wide variety of vendors, from farmers to crafters, are welcome to set up a station any Saturday, for as many times as they choose, for the season.

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A staple in the city for the 52^nd year, Moffat says the pandemic put a strain on the market. With a few restrictions put in place and fewer customers visiting, he says daily vendors went down to about 100 in 2020 and 115 in 2021. In 2019, their best year, he says, the market had about 250 vendors per day.

This year, while there are no restrictions in place, he expects there will be more vendors and customers.

He also says customers should expect some new bread vendors to the Market.

Above all, Moffat says he is most excited to see everyone together again with happy grins on their faces.

“Being able to see a smile; it’s going to be nice. I’m excited to hear some laughter, some happy talk,” he said. “It’s a happy place to be and we try to provide that.”

The Market started off with just 18 vendors in the 1970’s by Dennis Moffat, father of Patrick and Fiona. The torch was passed down to the siblings in 2020.

The Market is open every Saturday from May Long weekend until Thanksgiving weekend on October 8, 2022.