Frankfort Announces Plans For Modified Country Market

FRANKFORT, IL — The village of Frankfort has announced its plans for a modified farmers market for the summer season after it canceled the spring season of the market due to the coronavirus.

The village said the summer season of the Country Market will begin June 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and continue every Sunday through Aug. 30. There will be changes to the layout and operations of the market, and the village will monitor and adjust operations as necessary to comply with directives from the governor or public health agencies.

"Members balanced COVID-19 concerns with desires to open the country market, which is classified as an essential operation by Governor Pritzker. The committee decided to proceed with a modified market this year," Event coordinator Sue Lynchey told Patch.

The village said it will follow the Illinois Farmers Market Association's coronavirus guidelines. Changes to the market include:

• Location will be 1 N. White St. and Breidert Green parking lots
• Monitored entry and exit points
• Face coverings will be required for vendors and customers
• One-way aisles and ground markings to assist with social distancing
• Total number of shoppers at one time will be limited
• Hand washing stations
• No-touch market, vendors will bag the items at point of sale
• No food or beverage consumption on-site
• No food demonstrations or samples
• No entertainment
• No common area seating
• Credit, debit or cash; no change will be offered

“We are pleased to bring another sign of heading towards normal by opening the Country Market in downtown Frankfort. We hope that in future weeks, medical conditions and state guidance will allow us to ease up on the many restrictions,” Mayor Jim Holland said in a release.