Some vendors who took a break during the pandemic will return to Kelowna this year Farmer’s and craft market.

The outdoor season begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Dilworth Drive and Springfield Road. Westbank First Nation will open the market with a traditional blessing and land acknowledgment.

Live music will be back, there is no capacity limit and masks are not required.

“We will always maintain the security protocols in place,” says Frances Callaghan, market coordinator. “We will have a washing station in the market and also in the toilet area. And we will also have disinfectant at the entrances.

“We still want people to feel comfortable going in. We will still have the wider aisles like before,” she adds, safety is still a top priority, so if you want to wear a mask, there will be no problem.

Callaghan said there will be at least 80 vendors for this first weekend, but that number is expected to rise to 200 at the height of summer.

As for parking, Callaghan says it should be better than in the 2021 season.

“Last year we had a lot of problems with parking. This year the mall (Orchard Park) has that part where it was closed, where they were doing all this construction, is now open.

There is also a lot on the other side of the market where customers can park by donating to the SPCA. Callaghan said he raised more than $39,000 for the SPCA last year.

You can expect some of the stalls this weekend to showcase artisans, baked goods, but also produce, like greens, carrots and dried mushrooms. Food trucks will also be present.

A complete list will be published on Friday on the Market Facebook page.

There will also be hourly giveaways and food and drink sampling will be allowed again, after two years of public health restrictions.

“Come, have fun, enjoy the first day of the market,” Callaghan said.