|
In these times of uncertainty, anguish, and anxiety, we can still look ahead to a bright and joyous occasion for our year end recovery. With those thoughts in mind, we are exceedingly pleased to announce the 2020 Downtown Holiday Market!
Without a doubt, this year's market will be entirely different, but we can all look forward to the 16th annual festival returning.
The biggest change and greatest news; we are moving the market to the street. It is necessary and in everyone's interest (the City, customers, participants, staff and others) to close the entire 2 blocks of F Street from 7th to 9th for the entirety of the market, which will be more than a month, from November 20 thru December 23.
Thus, in addition to having ample space to accommodate vendors and customers, we would be able to abide by the strict guidelines and protocols to operate safely during the pandemic. All precautions and regulations will be followed, and we will be hyper vigilant concerning everyone's safety.
There are still understandable concerns about selling at a market during these times. It might not be for everyone, especially if you or ones you live with are immune-compromised or elderly, or if you are traveling from a state or area considered a "hot spot" where you might need to quarantine before attending. It is also understood that the market will not likely meet previous expectations for attendance. Our previous strengths in foot traffic are presumably lacking; reduced office workers, limited sports and no sport fans, half empty hotels, and few tourists. However, we have been running outdoor markets since April and we have seen them work. Folks come to support, they behave properly, and they are grateful for the market operation. We fully expect city residents and regional communities will come to shop for the holidays, now more than ever, to support small businesses and shop in a festive atmosphere, which is outside, a safer environment than indoors. We have been told that this will be the only festival event in DC permitted to occur.
Other changes we intend to implement, due to pandemic operating procedures, will be a fenced in market that will have one entrance and one exit. There will be a limited number of customers who can enter the market area, only 250 or up to 500 at a time depending on what stage DC is in at the time. We will queue up customers at the entrance. Masks will be required for customers, staff and exhibitors. Preliminary, a stage or entertainment is not allowed.
We will still do 10x10 high peak tents. There will however be walls on all sides of your booth, for both your and your neighbor's protection. There will be more corner booths available and we will accept double booths. We know it's the shopping season and many of you like to have a lot of different products. We do not recommend that. Customers should be limited in touching all merchandise until after they have purchased. Items that customers are allowed to touch should be cleaned or rotated frequently. Vendors are encouraged to limit their items, pre-package, and pre-price as many items as possible to help the customer choose and purchase more efficiently.
We expect to keep the same hours, 12-8pm. We will have 5 weekends. And we expect to start on Friday, the week before Thanksgiving, as we did last year. But we will close on three Mondays to allow for restocking, turnover, and a chance to re-sanitize and adjust booths and market areas. Counting Thanksgiving Day, the market will be closed for 4 dates and will be open for 30.
Participation will be limited to 3 options:
- The first half of the event (15 days, Friday Nov 20 - Sunday Dec 6) $3000
- The second half of the event (15 days, Tuesday Dec 8 - Wednesday Dec 23) $6000
- All dates. (30 days, with 4 days closed and advance set up days) $9000
To show you the layout of the market, and help you decide about your participation, DMM President Michael Berman will host a Zoom meeting to discuss the parameters of the set up, the operational logistics and answer as many questions as you may have. We might not have all the answers yet, but as we work with the City and our partners and stakeholders to get this to happen, we want you to get comfortable with what we are offering.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 18th 1:30pm. The meeting will be recorded and available to view for those that cannot attend. Please email us for an invitation.
| 
