Last year was the Innisfil Farmers' Market's most successful season yet, despite the pandemic.
But Market Manager Jaime Grant thinks this year will be even better.
With almost double the amount of vendors and residents bursting at the seams to get out and enjoy some form of normalcy, she suspects the market will surpass last year's record number of sales and visits.
"We are getting so many people asking when we are open....a lot of the people already have orders," she said. "Last year for sure was our most successful but I think we are going to beat that market for sure this year if the weather holds."
This year there are a total of 48 rotating vendors scheduled to sell their products at the market.
New this year is a local winery and distillery.
Both are well-known, small-batch, award-winning companies. Grant thinks this will be a big hit for the season and will draw in new clientele.
The craft distillery, Heretic Spirits out of Collingwood, is non-commercial and sells vodka and gin spirits.
The Couchiching Brewery from Orillia will be selling beer and wine.
"It is very exciting," said Grant.
She is also hoping to recreate a mini-Kempenfest at the market, featuring works from local artisans.
"I am very excited about that," she said.
One of her favourites is Innisfil woodworker Robert Molella of RM83 Designs.
"He makes the most beautiful things," she said.
She is also excited to introduce metal artisan, Dan Ramsay of Ramsay Metal Design.
Her goal is to make the market a one-stop-shop for all groceries and gifts.
Grant is excited about this year's season and has been working around the clock to ensure a successful, safe experience for visitors and vendors.
The Innisfil Farmers' Market is a true market, Grant says, noting the strict criteria vendors must meet in order to sell.
"Ours is a true farmers market, so everyone has to grow it themselves or buy it from someone who grows it," she said, "in order to have that status it means we have to make sure everyone is a grower."
Grant makes site visits to each vendor to ensure products are locally grown.
"I make sure they are actual growers, that's part of my job," she said. "Because there are more vendors, there is just more (to do this year)."
She has also been working with the health unit to ensure proper COVID-19 safety protocols are in place.
New rules for this year including mandatory masks (unless medically exempt), and a capacity limit of 130 guests at a time.
Last year, she says a majority of visitors would wear masks, but this year it is mandated.
The Innisfil Farmers' Market is one of the only markets in Ontario that are permitting pets to visit.
"We encourage people to bring their pets with them because it's a family event and we miss family events," she said, reminding that they need to be on leash and for owners to be mindful of pet paws on hot pavement.
Grant reassures residents the market will be open all season, no matter what provincial guidelines or restrictions are in place at the time.
"We are good to go," said Grant. "Whatever happens over this next season the Farmers' Market will be open."
This is the Innisfil Farmers' Market's eleventh season and has become an attraction for not only local residents, but out-of-town guests as well.
The markets will run every Thursday and Friday from 1 - 6 p.m. at the Innisfil YMCA and Tanger Outlet Mall, respectively.
Opening day for the Innisfil Farmers' Market is on Thursday, June 3 from 1 - 6 p.m. at the Innisfil YMCA parking lot located at 7315 Yonge Street, Innisfil.
The Tanger Outlet Mall location at 3311 Simcoe Road 89, Cookstown, will be on Friday, June 11 from 1 - 6 p.m.
For more information, visit the market website here.
