Gold Bar Farmer's Market changes day over traffic

After careful consideration by director Rosalyn Santerre, the Gold Bar Farmer's Market now operates 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday in Gold Bar, along the south side of U.S. 2.

Santerre's decision came after extensive customer feedback. Initially, the market took place every Sunday, but with the extreme traffic congestion on the highway every weekend, local residents felt disinclined to leave their homes. Sky Valley residents are all too familiar with the weekend backup on U.S. 2, which has become commonplace. Travelers heading home from weekend adventures have led to stop-and-go traffic, which sometimes stretches as far back as Index.

Santerre had hoped to draw in travelers to help encourage commerce at the market, but the idea did not pan out. Most of them seemed focused on getting home, she said.

Her primary goal for the market was to create a community asset for the residents of Gold Bar, she said. After analyzing the results of a community survey, the decision to switch the market to Saturdays was made. The first Saturday market took place on Saturday, July 16.

Santerre is seeking local musicians to provide live music during the market. She can be reached at www.facebook.com/goldbarfarmersmarket.