By GARRET JAROS/Lincoln Chronicle
WALDPORT – The wind still has a bit of a bite but the sun is back to making regular appearances, trees are leafing, flowers are blooming and green thumbs are back to digging in the dirt – all of which signals the start of Waldport Wednesday Market.
The market opens for the 2025 season on Wednesday and takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Wednesday through late September in the parking lot of the Waldport Community Center.
“We have a bunch of returning vendors and a handful of new,” said Megan Torres, who is managing the market for the city. “Fifty-six vendors have emailed and showed interest and 35 have submitted applications.”
The city returns to managing the market this year after the city council voted in December not to renew Beachcomber Days’ contract. The nonprofit community group had managed and grown the market since 2020 but questions over the organization’s finances and a later determination by the city based on IRS rules that only specific nonprofits are eligible to manage a market resulted in the city stepping back in.
The city, in partnership with the Waldport Chamber of Commerce, created the market in 2001. The city staffed it from 2009 until 2018 when it was contracted out to a private citizen until Beachcomber took over in 2020.
Torres said a vendors meet-and-greet Wednesday “went really well” and gave everyone a chance to talk, help determine what kind of vibe the market will have while also making clear vendor needs and city expectations.
“I thought it was so good, it was like watching a community come together and get excited,” Torres said. “And everybody wanted to work with each other. I got great feedback.”
A steady trickle of vendors continued to sign up at city hall Thursday to secure one of the 70 spaces available at the market. Two food trucks, including Fish Mongers, and a possible third are already on board as well as several other baked goods booths and one serving coffee and empanadas, Torres said.
The popular SLUGS ukulele group has signed on to play and market volunteers are actively seeking more.
“We are still navigating how that will play out,” Torres said with a smile.
A 10- by 10-foot booth space is available for a $5 weekly fee. Vendors may request a second space for an additional $5. Certified nonprofits may request a space at no charge. Music vendors also receive a free space upon request but must be scheduled for a designated time slot. All vendors must grow, make or represent what they sell. Garage sale items and used goods are not allowed.
There was some initial confusion about onboarding vendors because of social media posts revolving around Beachcomber but that seems to have passed, said Torres, who encouraged people to call her at city hall with any questions.
“Moving forward we will be advertising with the chamber and in the Lincoln Chronicle,” she said. “We will be getting the word out more and more now that we have a logo. And I will say that everybody who’s reached out has been positive. I have not received any negative feedback.”
For more information call Torres at 541-563-3561 or email recorder@waldport.org. For further vendor information or to download forms go to Market Vendor Package on the city’s website
- Garret Jaros covers the communities of Yachats, Waldport, south Lincoln County and natural resources issues for the Lincoln Chronicle, formerly YachatsNews, and can be reached at GJaros@YachatsNews.com
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