Tonight marks the third summer Thursday night market in historic downtown.
The weekly market is operated and sponsored by the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC), which decided to test drive a Thursday night downtown market concept this season – with one to be held each month from June through September.
According to market manager, Valerie McCracken, the Thursday night market has “exceeded expectations,” boasting some 35 vendors (close to 60 for the Saturday markets) and half a dozen food trucks.
“People love that feel of walking down Main Street,” said McCracken, emphasizing the hard work of the CEAC and market volunteers, who begin their work much earlier than 5 p.m. to block off traffic from the three-block area.
McCracken said the response from downtown business owners, many of which extend business owners on market nights, has been overall positive and a great opportunity to get creative.
Scott Kerr-Smith, owner of Cochrane’s Paw x Paw Dog Walking, who offers free dog sitting at the Saturday morning markets, where dogs aren’t allowed due to health regulations, has been supporting the dog-friendly Thursday night markets. He said he is pleased with the direction this could lead the town.
“It would be great to make a few blocks of Main Street a permanent pedestrian area with street vendors,” he said, likening it to city centres across England.
“This is a good step towards that and works well with businesses such as the food trucks and boutique vendors … brings life to the town that otherwise would feel like a bedroom community to Calgary.”
The final Thursday night market for the season will be held Sept. 15, come rain or shine.
McCracken is still looking at long-term planning for the eventual goal of a year-round market and looks forward to connecting with more foodies and entrepreneurs to bring that goal to life.
