“Last year we had to pull back because of funding, so we decided to take a year and focus on getting stronger and better as an organization,” explains president Brendan Trewalla. “We are no longer part of St. Clair Superior Development Corporation. We became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.”
This year’s events will take place on the Fridays of June 21, July 26, August 30 and September 27. Apart from some changes and improvements to layout, programming and infrastructure, Trewalla says that it will be business (and pleasure) as usual.
“If you knew and loved us before, you will know and love us again,” he says.
Once again, Night Market Cleveland will partner with Watershed Distillery and Market Garden Brewery to supply the adult refreshments. There will be plenty of live entertainment gracing the various stages that are sprinkled throughout. And, as always, the event is free and very kid- and pet-friendly.
The stated goal of Night Market has always been to serve as a small-business incubator, to draw attention and foot traffic to the St. Clair Superior neighborhood, and to bring local residents face to face with Cleveland’s diverse, thriving Asian community. All of those things are occurring.
As opening day nears, Night Market will announce opportunities for sponsorship and vendor applications.
Night Market is no longer just an event series, adds Trewalla, it’s an organization with year-round programming. Chief among that programming is the delicious, intimate and immersive Asiatown Food Tour series, monthly meetups with the people, places and businesses who make Cleveland’s Asiatown neighborhood such a compelling destination. The tours take place the third Wednesday of every month 12 months out of the year.
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This article appears in Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2019.
