The Red Market Barn located a few miles north of Kenosee Lake was planning to hold its first farmer’s market of the season on Sunday, June 28, but had to delay opening for one week due to inclement weather and COVID-19 concerns.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, physical distancing guidelines could have been compromised had the expected crowd needed to gather for shelter inside the Red Barn because of the weather that day.
Having had to change things up in several ways to be able to open, owner’s Harold and Brenda Johnston felt that it would be best to wait it out and open the following Sunday.
At present the Johnstons have had to remove all picnic benches, cancel live music that they had booked and keep closed the sandboxes and swings that were provided to entertain children, which do not fall under the province’s guidelines for opening. It would difficult to be within the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s protocols.
The Johnstons are eager to open July 5 and look forward to reacquaint with friends and vendors who have been coming since they first opened. “We are a summer business. This is the people’s entertainment and livelihood and we are hoping to get back to being open as we were before,” Mr. Johnston stated.
The Red Barn attracts people from all over Canada and places in the USA and has been a favourite attraction for people visiting the southeastern Saskatchewan vacation area.
