Family Days Postponed; 'Hope To Reschedule': Mayor

DEERFIELD, IL — As more and more on the events calendar are getting canceled by the day, residents were hoping the annual Family Days might be spared, though they weren't expecting it. Mayor Harriet Rosenthal announced Wednesday that the popular celebration was indeed postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but may be rescheduled for later in the year.

"In light of social distancing and safety concerns, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule Family Days," Rosenthal said. [The festival] will hopefully be held later in the year with fireworks and the same community traditions we look forward to every year."

Rosenthal thanked the Family Days Commission and the American Legion for their hard work in planning the festival and the special veterans' event at Jewett Park and the Deerfield Cemetery.

She also announced that the Deerfield Farmers Market will open as scheduled on June 13 with a "focus on health and safety." The State of Illinois recently identified farmers markets as essential businesses. The market will from 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 10.

"This year, the Farmers Market will move away from its focus on 'food, friends and fun' to a market that is dedicated to providing food in a safe, open-air shopping experience," Rosenthal said. "This will require the elimination all of our social and civic activities as well as limiting the number of vendors."

The market will be moved to Park Avenue, just north of Jewett Park Drive to provide for better social distancing, according to Rosenthal. New rules will space out vendors, limit the number of patrons allowed to shop at one time, require face coverings and provide increased sanitation.

Patrons will also not be allowed to touch the merchandise. Shoppers are asked to limit one person per household. Dogs and will not be allowed.

"I know this is not the Farmers Market we are used to every Saturday, where we gather with friends and family to enjoy the fun atmosphere while shopping," Rosenthal said. "We will be able to continue to operate the Market this year only if all participants follow the new rules. Thank you for your continued practice of following the measures that will keep all of us safe."