Bel Air Farmers' Market Opens April 10 For 2021

BEL AIR, MD — The Bel Air Farmers' Market is opening Saturday, April 10.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, several safety measures will be in place for the 2021 season.

Shoppers must stay 6 feet apart and will be required to wear masks while at the market, which is held outside the district courthouse off Bond Street.

"Some vendors will have their own safety guidelines like one-way shopping," Bel Air Farmers' Market Manager Andrea Kestner told Patch. "Look for signs and chalking for directions."

Vendors will be selling meats, eggs, flowers, produce, skin care products and dog treats, among other items, according to organizers. The Bel Air Farmers' Market is a producers-only market, so all vendors make their own products.

See the vendor list.

Businesses that are new to the Bel Air Farmers' Market for 2021 include Forest Hill's Double Groove Brewing, Doggilicious Doughnuts K9 Bakery and Balti’Marons, which sells prepackaged macarons, according to Kestner.

In a shift from the 2020 season, people can bring their own bags.

Customers may not bring pets.

"We just ask that there are no gatherings," Kestner said, citing state regulations.

Some vendors are taking orders ahead of time online.

"Pre-ordering is a big help," Kestner said, with social distancing.

Since certain areas of the market are narrow, those who want to talk or eat are encouraged to move to the grass, sidewalk or benches "to keep the traffic flowing for everyone's safety," Kestner said. "I know it’s hard," she added, "but it’s just how we have to live right now."

Having a four market — it runs from 7 to 11 a.m. — breaks up the flow of traffic, she said.

"We had people come first thing in the morning, then it would level off, usually around 9," she reported of how the market operated last year.

"We thank everyone for their support — the market as a whole — for buying local and eating local," Kestner said. "It means a lot ... hopefully we’ll be back to normal soon."

Opening Day at the Bel Air Farmers' Market is from 7 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, in the parking lot outside the Mary Risteau Courthouse at 2 S. Bond Street in Bel Air.

See Also:

• Opening Day for Bel Air Farmers' Market
• Social Distancing, Preordering In Place At Bel Air Farmers' Market
• Bel Air Farmers' Market To Continue Despite Coronavirus

The Bel Air Farmers' Market, which has been in operation since the 1970s, runs from April through November from 7 to 11 a.m.

It operates with reduced hours, from 9 to 11 a.m., between Nov. 27 and Dec. 18.