Small gatherings prove just as strong and possibly safer for some during post-pandemic times

SUMMERLAND, Calif. - With talk of mega concerts, fairs, big sporting events and more in the coming months, some people are just as satisfied easing their way into the post-pandemic months attending smaller gatherings.

One is the Farmer & The Flea in Summerland. It takes places on the 4th Sunday of each month.

Farmer & The Flea founder Meagan Husbands says, taking a go-slow approach is a good decision. "That is the best way to feel better to be around community, to contribute whatever your comfort level is."

The site is the quaint post office parking lot and a section of the parking area across the street near the town's Sandpiper liquor store.

The event draws in vendors who specialize in handcrafted items, specially picked vintage goods, homemade foods, clothing, and plants for your garden or porch.

Husbands says, people enjoy "getting in the sunshine and supporting local businesses."

Having the event once a month gives people "a sense of routine and stability."

"Once we agreed on this location we thought, this was the perfect place," she said.

She says a lot of vendors have reconnected with friends, and created new friends.

She says the Summerland citizens have supported the event and agreed the site was appropriate for the one day gathering.

The popularity has grown in the last few months. "I am creating wait lists."

Dara Bleiberg sells organic farm fresh products harvested locally. "When Covid happened I think people  are like  'whoa let's examine what's important' and  so I feel a bigger sense of community coming  out of this Covid   situation and that's really hopeful." 

Summerland is a tiny town founded in 1889 and it can't handle a big event that's why this small festival-type setting is perfect for the town"

And it helps nearby businesses. Husbands said, "most definitely. There's people coming in from up north and down south enjoying their lunch and enjoying this town."

Iris DiSanto says she sees sellers from other venues and also similar customers for her collectables. "This is just big enough so it is not overwhelming. Everybody has space and you can mingle and walk and it is close to the beach and it is a perfect outside venue."

The setting that's far from a crowded mall, or big warehouse store.
Martin Brothers Landscapes was surrounded by vegetable plants ready to go into a pot or the ground. David Martin said, "it is a like a breath of fresh air we all need it."

 There are also many unique finds here. Martin says he stand, "specializes in blue tomatoes and different stuff you won't find in big box stores. They are not very common yet and so we are trying to get them into every day gardeners hands."

One Carpinteria home kitchen brings out a specialized German bread with organic ancient einhorn grains and seller Christina Welch makes homemade preserves to go with her DinkleBrot bread.

"It's just been the hottest seller.  I am the only one on the Central Coast that sells and bakes this bread," she said. Once a week she delivers a shipment to the Food Liason in Carpinteria. Once a month she sells at the Farmer & The Flea. She has added more loaves to keep up with the demand, but still, expects to sell out.