AUGUSTA, Ga. – A new market started Sunday that offers weekend fun while still calling for COVID-19 safety measures.
The 5th Street Marina near the Riverwalk held its first ever spring market Sunday. Patrons were able to purchase hand-crafted jewelry, paintings, wood-carvings and more along with hamburgers, hot dogs and other cookout-style foods alongside a calm Savannah River under a warm blue sky.
“We have so many people that say ‘I didn’t even know [the marina] was here,'” organizer Beth Christian said. “If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heart it a lot of times … we just want to get something out there. Sundays, there’s nothing to do on a Sunday … and that way we have our market on Sunday, [then there is] the market on Saturday.”
Christian was referring to the Augusta Market at the River, which is held on Saturdays at 8th Street at the Riverwalk and scheduled to reopen March 20.
While the Sunday event was all about having a fun time at the marina, Christian said it was important to her and the City of Augusta that the event be safe even as the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be waning. This is why vendors were spaced six feet apart, masks were worn, and stations were set up with hand sanitizer and other supplies.
Vendors like Kelley Jonske and Amy Berard said they appreciate the care taken in making things safe and the potential the market has.
“I like it, I think it can turn into something really big. Beautiful view,” Jonske said.
“Usually it’s one on top of the other stacked right next to each other,” Berard said in comparing Sunday’s event to other vendor fairs. “[Christian] has us spread out well today.”
The spring market will run noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday until May 9 at the marina at 1 5th St.
Vendors interested in participating can email [email protected]. Christian said it costs $20 per week to sell at the market and she will not collect the day of in case of bad weather, which would cancel the event.
