Tallahassee, Fla. (July 3)– The Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority (TDIA) announce the reopening of its signature Downtown Market, a weekly event that occurs each Saturday in Downtown’s Ponce de Leon Park, on July 11. The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekend until November, will incorporate new safety and sanitation guidelines in accordance with Leon County’s mask ordinance for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Downtown Market will require vendors to wear face coverings, remain 6 feet apart and space their booths in 8 to 10 foot increments. For the safety of both patrons and vendors, each booth will be set back from the sidewalk to allow 6 feet through the main path of the Market and tape will be used to mark spacing around the booths for patrons. While patrons are not required to wear masks outside– following the guidelines laid out in the Leon County ordinance– the TDIA strongly encourages patrons of the event to wear masks and to maintain social distancing of 6 feet whenever possible. If patrons do not have a mask, the TDIA will provide free masks at its information booth for those who may want to wear a mask at the event. In addition to spacing and masks, hand sanitizer will be available throughout the Market.
One of the unique features of the Downtown Market is its weekly local performing artist. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the performing artist was surrounded by seating for patrons. With the new sanitation policies, this seating will no longer be available. Patrons are welcome to stand 6 feet from the performer.
The Downtown Market has been a centerpiece of the Downtown business district for 20 years, and patrons and vendors have been eager for the event to return since its postponement in March.
“Many of our vendors rely on our Market not only for extra income, but also for socializing,” said Director of Downtown Experience Allen Thompson. “The momentum for bringing our market back has been huge, and It’s really exciting to be able to bring our Market back in a way that makes the experience safe and fun for our vendors and our patrons.”
A special thanks to our sponsors who help make these events possible, NAI Talcor and City of Tallahassee, Natural Gas Utilities. For sponsorship or market information, please contact Allen Thompson, William.thompson@talgov.com, (850) 631-9542
The Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority (TDIA) was created by an act of the Florida Legislature in 1971 with the goal to revitalize Tallahassee’s downtown district. The mission of the TDIA is to promote Downtown as a growing destination for development through development planning, public improvements, special events, promotions and beautification.
