It'll be entertainers, vendors and food trucks galore with word the Nanaimo Night Market is returning this summer following a two year hiatus. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

good news

‘It’s definitely on:’ Nanaimo Night Market returns to Commercial Street

Feb 17, 2022 | 5:19 AM

NANAIMO — Hearing sweeping provincial health restrictions were vanishing was like music to the ears of the architect of an extremely popular Nanaimo event.

Greater Nanamo Chamber of Commerce CEO Kim Smythe said plans are fully in motion bring back the Nanaimo Night Market on Thursday nights this summer.

“We’ve missed it, we know the community has missed it, we’ve heard so many good reports from people who have memories from two years ago and want to return to that place. It’s time to bring it back.”

The well received event saw upwards of five thousand people converge on the downtown core in 2018 and 2019, but was shelved the previous two years due to public health restrictions.

Smythe said interest from vendors and the community at large indicates it will be highly successful third year for the market.

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“We can expect up to 150 vendors, artisans, farmers’ market participants, local beverage makers. We can expect somewhere between 50 to 60 different performers through the course of the summer,” an excited Smythe told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The Nanaimo Night Market is scheduled to see the closure of Commercial St and surrounding streets between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday nights between June 23 and Sept. 1.

Vendor booths will line Commercial St., while 10 food trucks are planned for Diana Krall Plaza each week.

Two entertainment zones are envisioned, while Smythe said early discussions have been held to section off locally homemade producers into a separate area.

Smythe said the City of Nanaimo has indicated the necessary permits required for usage of Diana Krall Plaza and street closures are on track to be approved.

Designing a showcase event to elevate the profile of downtown Nanaimo, while also offering to the social fabric of the community are huge drivers for the event, Smythe said.

He noted 50 restaurants and 50 retailers among the 250 businesses located downtown stand to benefit most from the market.

“This gives them a chance to show off what they’ve got.”

Interested vendors, entertainers and food truck operators can contact the Nanaimo Chamber for more information and applications to reserve their space by clicking here.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes