Organizers are preparing for the first outdoor market of the season at the Ponderay Event Center parking lot on Sunday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The market will be held the second Sunday of every month starting in May, organizer Melissa LaDuca said.

The market is the result of the fall’s indoor craft fair being canceled in the fall, LaDuca said.

“Due to COVID, we haven't been able to do that,” she said. “[A lot of the vendors] we typically haven’t had that opportunity. They rely on it for their income. And so COVID has had a large impact on them.”

The idea sprouted after a Christmas craft fair that was scheduled for the Ponderay Event Center switched locations, she said.

“Everybody was like, what are we going to do? What are we going to do? And I was like, well, let's just do it. And so I started putting that together,” she said. “A few of the vendors were talking about [how] it was really difficult around Christmas time. So I would let a vendor come and set up outside of my business this past fall for the holidays … in conversation, we just decided, ‘well, let's try an outdoor one.’”

Many of the people most affected by the cancellation of last year’s event were seniors and stay-at-home mothers using their crafts for supplemental income, LaDuca said.

Those vendors are still trying to rebound, she said. She plans for the market to provide a more affordable alternative to Sandpoint’s market for small vendors. In addition, because the Ponderay market is on Sunday while Sandpoint’s is on Saturday and Wednesday, it offers another shopping option for people who can’t make those days.

“We have a lot of Seventh-day Adventists in the community, and they don't shop on Saturdays. So this gives them an opportunity to shop at a market as well,” LaDuca said.

Her own business, Sa'Haira Salon, has also faced challenges in the past year as well. Although she said she’s lucky to have regular customers, LaDuca has also had to adapt.

“It hasn't been the same, for sure. Products are difficult for us to get. We've had a shortage of things. You have people that have decided to not color their hair and do certain things because of the expensive of things,” she said. “Now, we're being impacted with a lot of people selling and moving and stuff.”

The market will feature craftspeople, but also a farmers market portion, LaDuca said.

Applications are now being accepted for vendors, and are due by April 23.

Booth spaces are up to 12 by 12 feet, with additional space as needed, which should be noted on applications.

Booths are $35 per booth, $45 for shared booths and $20 per additional person, not counting family members. Fees are due 10 days prior to reserve dates and will not be refunded if an applicant does not show up.

All pop-ups and canopies are required to be weighed down, and applicants are responsible to provide hand sanitizer. Setup is 9-10 a.m. Vendors are required to park all vehicles on the back side of the building unless previous arrangements are made.

Applications may be denied if numerous vendors with similar products have already applied. For vendors selling products such as Tupperware or Scentsy, only one vendor per brand is allowed.

Applications can be picked up in-person at Sa'Haira Salon, online on the “Ponderay Handmades & Farmers Market” Facebook group, or by emailing LaDuca at ponderaycraftfestival@gmail.com.