A new night market is coming to Cochrane's historical downtown. Cochrane Farmers' Market volunteers will be working with historical downtown business owners to kick off a monthly evening street market, starting June 16.
A new night market is coming to Cochrane's historical downtown.
Cochrane Farmers' Market volunteers will be working with historical downtown business owners to kick off a monthly evening street market, starting June 16.
“We want to get people out and to come down and appreciate what downtown has to offer, ” said Valerie McCracken, Cochrane farmers' market manager.
The idea was inspired through discussions with farmers' market volunteers and historical downtown business owners, as a way to revitalize downtown and attract and engage Cochranites.
“Cochrane is so supportive of the Saturday market that I think they are ready to have a street market, and I think having the market downtown will make the market more accessible in different ways, ” McCracken said.
The regular Cochrane Farmers' Market is hosted every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., starting June 4. While McCracken said the regular farmers' markets holds great turnouts, the street market will give residents a chance to see what artisans have to offer while also getting a chance to explore the historical downtown.
“We are hoping to get great engagement from the community and the businesses … there is a lot of potential with this, ” McCracken said.
Downtown businesses will be encouraged to “spill over ” onto the street, as the artisans/vendors will be set up on the street opposite to the stores. Live-entertainment is also a possibility. Organizers also hinted at other “extras ” but said details are still being finalized.
Historical business owner Jj Ludwig said she is excited for the possibilities the market will bring.
“It will be a great way to get people to come down and it will be good to get Cochrane coming together to celebrate what downtown has to offer, ” Ludwig said.
Organizers have also confirmed there will be a street closure for two blocks to help create an authentic market feel.
“Cochrane is very supportive and I think even with the economic downturn people still want to support locally, ” McCracken said.
While volunteers from the Cochrane Farmers' Market are helping to organize the downtown market, McCracken said the night market will have a different “vibe ” from the regular Saturday market.
“We are hoping to have a more artisan-based market, where we will pick vendors more suited for downtown evening markets, ” McCracken said.
“I think the support is there and hopefully everyone is as excited as we are. ”
Market dates:
June 16
July 14
Aug. 11
Sept. 15
Organizers are hopeful the market will attract 30 to 40 vendors for the first market.
Any artisans/vendors interested in participating in Cochrane's historical downtown evening markets, email Valerie McCracken at [email protected] or go to cochranefarmersmarket.ca, where an application form will be available in the following weeks.
