Customers and vendors alike had good first impressions Friday of the inaugural night market in downtown Orillia.
An Orillia Farmers’ Market initiative, the night market is taking place tonight, July 23 and Aug. 13, from 5 to 9 p.m., in the courtyard between the Orillia Public Library and the Orillia Opera House, coinciding with the city’s See You on the Patio program.
One of the goals is to attract people to both events, and it worked on Robyn Rennie. She picked up some baked goods at the market before heading for dinner downtown.
“It’s perfect,” she said of the night market. “I’d like to see it every weekend in the summer. I think it would be good for the vendors, especially once the word gets out.”
Laurie Neill, who owns White Lions Tea and is a member of the Orillia Farmers’ Market advisory committee, said the night market is “a great idea.”
“It gets us a different crowd out than our usual Saturday morning,” she said. “Everybody’s out enjoying the downtown right now. We’re so starved for interaction and activity.”
She was impressed with the reaction from customers. She had already sold out of a few items not long after the market opened Friday. That means she’ll likely be baking late into the night to ensure she’s stocked up for the regular Saturday-morning market.
Neill hopes to see the night market return next year.
“Next summer, we should continue to do the same thing,” she said.
Steffanie Russell felt the same.
“It’s a different kind of crowd, which is nice,” said the owner of Cord and Crystal. “I like seeing the people I don’t normally see on Saturdays, which is a really big benefit of doing the night market.”
Russell, who makes fibre art — mainly macramé — and incorporates genuine crystals in her pieces was pleased with her sales early in the evening.
“It’s been busier than anticipated because it’s our first one,” she said.
Those wandering through the courtyard were treated to the sound of viola, courtesy of musician Alex Andrews.
“It’s really fun to play for people again and to get some smiles,” she said.
It was her first time performing in front of people since October 2020.
“It’s been really uplifting and gives me some joy to be playing and surrounded by people in a safe atmosphere,” she said.
