After more than a year of not having not having a farmers' market in Downtown San Luis Obispo due to COVID-19, then five weeks of operating as an “essentials produce market” with reduced capacity, the popular weekly event is welcoming people back to pre-pandemic operations.
Musicians, entertainers & food vendors are once again filling the streets of Downtown San Luis Obispo on Thursday nights.
Chris Baird of Crustacea Jazz band was excited to be reunited with her bandmates.
“Right now I am really jazzed — excuse the pun — just so jazzed to be back here playing our music for people, making them smile," Baird said. "That’s all we want to do. If we get tips, that's gravy!”
Baird's fellow bandmate, Ann Abler, said it's been a long 15 months when musicians were barred from performing at the farmers' market during the pandemic.
“Two blocks up there will be another band, and then one block up is the guy who plays the cello," Abler said. " Everyone is just so glad to be back.”
Now that the state has re-opened, food vendors like Ethan Moskoff of Vintage Cheese company are able to once again serve up dishes.
“It’s pretty exciting. Now we have everything pretty much at full swing," Moskoff said. " We have BBQ food, I’m excited to see a lot of customers come out.”
Another big difference, there is no longer a capacity limit and people who are vaccinated do not need to wear a mask, or socially distance.
“It’s great to actually see people's faces, seeing them smiling and walking through downtown," Moskoff said. " So it’s been really fun.”
The market will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. every Thursday on Higuera Street from Nipomo to Osos.
