After a bit of a delay, the Ironton Farmers Market will be open for business this weekend.

And it will be under strict COVID-19 rules.

“Safety will be the main focus,” Sam Heighton, the market manager and the executive director of Ironton aLive, said. “Vendors will be set up with six-foot spacing and customers will be asked to wear masks and observe social distancing.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has deemed farmers markets to be an essential business.

Heighton said the market vendor family is anxious to get started, but safety for all will be practiced. “Vendors will wear masks and will sanitize their space often,” Heighton said. “The market area will be set up with more space for the shoppers and space between the vendors and the shoppers and shoppers are required to wear a mask.”

He said that everyone has worked hard to bring as many products as possible to the market and he expects it will be a great day.

Heighton added that if a customer doesn’t want to get out of their vehicle, vendors will bring purchases to them and place it in their vehicle.

“I feel like the market opening is important to opening up the downtown and people getting out in all areas of town in a safe way,” Heighton said.

As part of sanitary efforts, Xtreme Pressure Wash of Ironton, at no charge, will pressure wash the farmers market area and spray sanitizer before the market opens.

Another change this year is that the market will take part in the Ohio Department of Aging’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition program after Lawrence County was added to the counties in Ohio that have the program available.

To get more information, including a list of eligible produce, go to the Area Agency on Aging on website at www.aaa7.org. An application is available and you need to be 60 or older to be eligible. If you would like an application mailed to you, call 740-533-7951.

Eligible consumers will receive ten $5 coupons. Five of the coupons expire July 31 and five expire October 31.

Coupons can only be used by the person that signed up and received them. You cannot receive change from the market vendor.

The Ironton Farmers Market is held at Market Square on Second Street in Ironton on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m.–3 p.m. or until vendors sell out. The market’s vendors are from Lawrence County and surrounding counties and they offer a variety of goods from seasonal produce like gourds and pumpkins, baked goods, honey, eggs, homemade candy, homemade crafts and flowers.

The Ironton Farmers Market is a project of Ironton aLive.