By Hayden Seder
The beloved Wood River Farmers’ Market will be changing the location of its Tuesday Ketchum market this summer to the permit parking lot at the base of Baldy next to River Run. Organizers are seeing this move as a positive because this new location—just off the bike path—will provide more parking, the option of more vendors, and opportunities for marketgoers to simultaneously utilize Sun Valley Resort summer resources at the base.
For more than 10 years, Ketchum’s farmers’ market was located on Fourth Street near Atkinsons’—a location Ketchum city officials liked because it was central to the downtown hub. The street was even redone at one point and made more farmers’ market friendly, making it somewhat unofficially the spot for the market. But the city informed the market and its board that a number of construction projects taking place on Fourth Street over the course of two to three years meant that another location, or locations, would need to be used during the hiatus from the old location. Last summer was the first location move—to Ketchum Town Square.
“We decided it was best because it’s across the street from the old location,” said Katie Zubia, board president of the Wood River Farmers’ Market Association. “It was great for us; vendors had increased sales and we had a lot of tourist traffic that we didn’t usually.”
The association discussed making Town Square the market’s regular spot until they could go back to Fourth Street but the city rejected that proposal. A recent letter from the City of Ketchum to the Farmers’ Market that was made public explained the reasoning behind rejecting Town Square as the location for the market. Those reasons included residents and surrounding businesses voicing concern about alley congestion, road closure, lack of parking and increased downtown traffic, among other factors. The city also stated that fire regulations and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements were not being met there.
However, the city encouraged a downtown hub spot and suggested that the market move to First Avenue and Forest Service Park.
“This area has become a lively and desired location for community activities and the market would be a welcome addition to Ketch’em Alive, particularly this year, while celebrating its 20th anniversary,” the city wrote in its press release.
Zubia and the other board members rejected the location.
“Our main concern was that it’s residential there,” Zubia said. “And our market is on Tuesday, as well as Ketch’em Alive. Judging by past events, an overlap of two events like that could get into some problems.”
While the new River Run location is outside of the downtown core, the location holds promise, especially since parking—something that has often been an issue with the market—will be abundant. The plan is to work with Sun Valley Resort to have the event and the recreation area feed off each other.
“They want people down there in the summer,” Zubia said. “People can come to the mountain, get lunch, sit by the river, ride the gondola, and also get their produce. We want to make it a destination.”
There are obvious concerns to moving the market away from downtown and the notable foot traffic that brings people to the market, but Zubia isn’t worried.
“We have built up really good customer bases and know that, no matter where we are, those customers are going to seek us out,” Zubia said. “We’re really excited about trying out this new location. There’s a lot to offer that we haven’t had in the past.”
The Hailey Farmers’ Market will remain in the grassy lot off Main Street across from Sun Valley Brewery on Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m., June 14 through Sept. 27.
For more information visit wrfarmersmarket.org.