OTHELLO — The Othello Farmers Market is scheduled to open Thursday, July 23 in a different location from previous years.

“We’re going ahead and relocating the farmers market this year,” said Sharon Skorick, manager for the Othello Chamber of Commerce.

The farmers market was unable to open in Pioneer Park under current COVID-19 regulations. Instead the market will be held at the El Rancho Event Center at the junction of Highway 24 and Bench Road.

Leo Gaeta, owner of El Rancho Event Center, is letting the farmers market use his facility and canopy at the back of the event center. Skorick said that the facility will work well for the market because it is fenced off and will allow a dedicated entrance and exit as required by current regulations.

Skorick said that only nine vendors will be allowed at this year’s farmer’s market. Three of the nine spots are already taken. There are also certain restrictions as to what type of vendors are allowed.

Skorick is hoping that the county will be allowed to go to Phase 3 of the governor’s reopening plan prior to the opening of the market.

“If we are in Phase 2, we’ll have to look at a drive-thru market,” Skorick said.

If the county is able to move to Phase 3, 50 people, including shoppers, vendors and market personnel, will be allowed in the market at a time.

In previous months, Skorick had thought that the market would not be able to open at all this year, due to the unsuitability of Pioneer Park under the COVID-19 regulations. With the change in venue, the market will now be able to continue to serve the citizens that depend on it.

Each year, the Columbia Basin Health Association (CBHA) hands out WIC farmers market checks, which allow families in need to purchase fresh produce. Low-income senior citizens are also able to purchase produce through a farmers market nutrition program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The WIC farmers market checks will be available at this year’s market.

For more information about the Othello Farmers Market or to apply to be a vendor, call the Othello Chamber of Commerce at (509) 488-2683. The Othello Farmers Market will be open each Thursday from July 23 to Aug. 27 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at [email protected].