It’s going to be a very different Fourth of July in Canby this year. While much has been canceled, there is one event that has been added to the calendar: The Canby Farmers Market will be open, and with longer hours to boot.
“You know, we weren’t going to run on the Fourth of July, because I figured we’d have a lot of competition,” says Alexis Purcell, organizer of the Canby Farmers Market. “But when they had to cancel the parade and everything, we were like, ‘Why not?’ Let’s give people something to do, a reason to get out. We just wanted to offer something for the Fourth of July.”
Purcell says — and visits to the market by the Canby Now Podcast this season have confirmed — higher attendance and renewed interest in the weekly downtown market, which has struggled to find support in the past. Vendors have also reported higher sales and more foot traffic — despite adverse weather on several Saturdays, and the ever-changing guidelines intended to slow the spread of Covid-19.
“It’s pretty much a waiting game,” Purcell said with a laugh, when asked what the rest of the season will look like. “Every week is a different week, different requirements. We’re just going to keep going strong, keep following the requirements and, hopefully, add in some fun things as we get further down the road a little bit.”
The special July Fourth edition of the Canby Farmers Market will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature a wide variety of new and returning vendors, including Killer Burger, Chop Chop Chicken Sundaes, Salsa Made with Love by Nana, 503 Distilling, Beathan Farms and Red Chair Farm.
Find them on North Holly Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue (next to Gwynn’s Coffeehouse) or for the latest, follow the Canby Farmers Market on Facebook.
Hear more from Alexis Purcell on Episode 181 of the Canby Now Podcast, “Chop Chop”:
