The July market proved worryingly popular, and in light of a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in Sydney and Newcastle, the committee cancelled the August one.

However, it's full steam ahead for the first market of Spring on Saturday September 19, with a revised set of constraints and a Mask Parade.

Bring your creative, crazy, colourful and COVID-safe handmade mask and see if you can win a prize. First place will take home $100 and second and third will score $50 each.

Register at the Bello Market Info Hub before 11am on market morning and join the parade and judging on the footy oval at noon.

The new COVID Safety Plan that will be in operation includes bigger, brighter and bolder signs; strict one-ways; entry only via the three main gates (on Church, Park and Ford Streets); a QR code image at entrances for people to scan and check themselves in; and more staff to manage crowds.

Stallholders will be paying a small COVID levy to allow for the extra staff expense and the community group stationed at each gate will be welcoming visitors and ensuring they sanitise and read signs, as well as seeking donations (for Bello High School P&C) and clicking in the number of people coming through the gate.

Organisers hope many attendees will be wearing masks (and entering the mask parade!). Cheynne Murphy and band will be playing but there will be signs asking people not to gather in front of the stage.