Nanaimo's largest regular gathering kicks off on the evening of Thursday, June 23 with the return of the Nanaimo Night Market. (Heydemann Art Photography)

By Ian Holmes

meet me downtown

Nanaimo Night Market debuts following two year hiatus

Jun 23, 2022 | 5:35 AM

NANAIMO — An ever-expanding Nanaimo Night Market will undoubtedly attract thousands of people weekly to the downtown core for the balance of summer.

Starting Thursday, June 23 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. about 140 vendors, a dozen food trucks and numerous entertainers will be in attendance for the weekly event, Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce president Kim Smythe declared.

He said demand from primarily Vancouver Island based vendors was overwhelming with the 11-week event sold out this season.

Smythe said the night market’s third year will continue building on previous events in 2018 and 2019.

“We’re increasing and enhancing the quality of the of the presentation, the level of entertainers and the level of vendors,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Smythe said about half of their vendors are new this year, while a rotating roster of 40 to 50 paid entertainers will be on hand for the event running until Sept. 1.

Vendors offering clothing, household accessories, novelties and a wide range of art products will line their booths along a closed-down Commercial St. between Terminal Ave. and Church St.

Diana Krall Plaza will be home to the food trucks and beverages, while an entertainment area geared toward children will be located at the back of the plaza.

Most business operators are staying open late on Thursday nights to take advantage of the heavy pedestrian traffic, Smythe said.

He said interestingly inquiries have picked up from people off Vancouver Island asking questions about the night market to include the event as part of their travel plans.

“All of the hoteliers are very excited about it, as are restaurants, retailers and businesses. It doesn’t just impact downtown, we bring many visitors from all over Vancouver Island to this event.”

Following the first two years of the night market, Smythe said a combined 17 new businesses opened in the downtown core and a few openings are available now.

“We’re hoping that people will come downtown and see the opportunity and maybe think about opening their own shop.”

The popular Nanaimo Night Market debuted in 2018, which was followed by a larger weekly market the following year.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes