The Pat Porter Active Living Centre (PPALC) is hosting their ‘first ever night market’.
Carla Walker, Program and Volunteer Coordinator at PPALC, says the event is being organized in partnership with Eastman Immigrant Services as a way to kick off the long weekend.
“We have some amazing local makers attending including ethnic foods, beautiful handmade items, amazing desserts, beautiful custom door mats, jewelry, henna, and so much more.”
Food and treats will also be available for purchase, including hot dogs, Dexter’s Mini Donuts, ice cream, and coffee.
Walker says this isn’t your typical market.
“For the kids, we have bouncy castles, face painting, bubbles. And we also have some live music that's going to be there.”
She explains the idea came from seeing other communities host night markets.
“We have a lot of markets but not a lot of night markets and I think that especially on a weekend, people have a lot going on. I think it's great just to maybe have one evening where you can come and still support local makers and have a good time and then you can still clean your house on Saturday.”
She says it’s an evening where everyone can find something to enjoy.
“The kids, just a family as a whole, or friends. Grab some friends and come down or whatever it is, come just to browse by yourself, enjoy some supper, and just watch the kids have a good time. I think it's a really great way to bring a community together.”
Walker notes that the partnership between PPALC and Eastman Immigration Services has been growing for several years.
“We've been really excited about it because it started by collaborating for Culturama. And then it grew into some programs that we collaborated on together. They would come and join us for some fitness ball drumming, and it was a lot of fun. And now they came to us again and asked if we would be interested in joining together to create an evening such as this for the community.”
That partnership continues to strengthen, and both organizations are already planning ahead for Culturama 2026.
The first ever night market takes place Friday, August 29, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre.
“Come on down. It's going to be an awesome evening just to kick off the long weekend and kind of like a fun thing to end off the summer with.”
With files from Carly Koop