Smoke from Canadian wildfires and oppressive summer heat did little to quash DeKalb's downtown farmers market Thursday.
Attendees strolled through rows of vendors in Van Buer Plaza, selecting fresh produce and homemade goods as usual.
This week, the market’s hours were extended from noon to 6 p.m. as part of three extended market days planned for this summer.
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce organized Thursday’s event, which featured a performance by Dimensions Dance Academy and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Artifex Studio’s recent art installation.
Virginia Jimenez, marketing and events manager for the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, said the summer heat has not deterred vendors.
"Considering it has been a hot summer," she said, "we've still had a record-breaking amount of vendors that are at the market every week."
According to Jimenez, the market's vendors remain excited to sell their products and connect with familiar faces in the community.
One of those vendors is Robert Pondelick, a fifth-generation vegetable farmer from Maple Park. He said this year’s heat is just another challenge farmers must navigate.
"Mother Nature always has a huge effect on our crops," he said. "Almost every year there's something thrown at us, so this year the heat is no different than too much rain or a late frost."
A haze from smoke drifting south from Canadian wildfires was also visible at Van Buer Plaza Thursday.
As a result of the smoke, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Department of Public Health have issued hazardous air quality alerts for northern Illinois.
Residents are advised to limit exposure and take precautions to protect their health.
Those with respiratory and pulmonary conditions, children, older adults and anyone who is active outdoors are considered most at risk.
The agencies recommend considering high-quality N95 or N100 masks, which filter harmful particles, for people spending extended time outside.
According to a joint press release from the agencies, poor air quality in the region could continue through the weekend.
Copy Edited by Eryn Lent
