The initiative behind Chelsea’s Night Market is generating considerable excitement, particularly given that fire jugglers will be among the performers at the inaugural event scheduled for June 8, alongside comedians, musicians, and numerous food and craft vendors.
Part of the City’s Chelsea Prospers campaign, this Night Market concept emerged earlier this year as a strategy to enliven the downtown core during summer months. The Luther Place municipal parking lot will host the market once monthly, creating a vibrant, imaginative gathering space.
Mimi Graney, the Downtown Coordinator, expressed her enthusiasm as the arrangements solidify. “It’s going amazingly,” she said. “We’ve got
this really cool Turkish band that’s playing on the first day. We will also
have the Boston Circus Guild coming and they will have two performances. There
will be folks on stilts, jugglers, people juggling fire and close interactive
magicians. They will have a 20-minute fire performance during the evening.
Think juggling things on fire with incredible music behind it.”
While specifics about participating vendors remain under wraps for now, Graney noted that 13 have already committed, representing an impressive variety of both merchandise and dining options. “I’m really excited so many local businesses
and food businesses are looking to take part,” she said. “We’re not doing food
trucks because we want an intimate atmosphere with open BBQs and food service.”
Visitors will encounter artistic illumination throughout the venue, designed to create an impressive atmosphere as they arrive by way of the newly-refurbished Chelsea Walk.
“Our plan is to encourage people to come
into the Market using the Chelsea Walk and it will be like ‘kapow,’” she said. “They’ll be hit with the lights and music and circus acts and vendors.”
The Chelsea Pride Committee will operate a booth at the market, and a comedy group is also scheduled to participate, contributing community involvement to the event.
“The Pride Committee will be having their
flag raising the day afterward, but they will have a booth at the Market too,” she said. “They plan to use grease body paint to have people write things on
themselves that they are proud of. I love a lot of the community vendors are
trying to do new and different things instead of just standing behind a table.”
June 8 will see the first Night Market operating from 7-10 p.m., with June 15 designated as an alternative date in case of rain.