By Andi Bedsworth

With summer fully upon us, it is time to enjoy the slower pace and wonderful seasonal offerings of our town including the farmer’s markets, Maker’s Market, Concerts in the Grove summer series, Movies in the Park, and Fringe Festival. This summer, a new event which will begin is the Good Night Market which will occur three times this summer.

The Good Night Market, a community market series created by the 2017 class of Leadership Lafayette program with support from the Yoknapatawpha Art Council, will launch this summer. The market gives artists in the community another outlet to sell and showcase their craft.

Held every 3rd Friday of the month this summer, which will be June 16, July 21 and August 18 from 6-9 p.m., the market will feature entertainment, food, activities and vendors selling their items.

The market series will be held at The Old Armory Pavilion (corner of University Ave. and Bramlett Blvd.), which is operated by the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and features a large covered space as well as ample green space for families to spread out on and enjoy.

According to Afton Thomas who is part of the Leadership Lafayette team putting on the market, “The monthly markets are designed to be community gatherings featuring entertainment, food, activities and an opportunity for local purveyors to sell and showcase their items. The markets will be family friendly and offer activities for all ages.”

Another hope for the series is that it can serve as a fundraiser for equipment for the pavilion.

“YAC and Leadership Lafayette dreams of a rental at this space including tables, chairs, lighting, all on site so that organizations and community members will use it. The market wants to showcase the endless possibilities for the space.”

Since the pavilion opened a couple of years ago, the space has hosted a community dance, carnivals, Fringe Festival, and other events and is home to the Community Farmer’s Market, which is held every Tuesday afternoon during the season. It has added great value to our town adding another space where residents can gather.

This night market will add another way for families to enjoy the lovely summers in Oxford and spend a fun evening outside listening to music, eating good food and shopping local vendors.

As many of you know the summers are both quiet and relaxed here, and having fun ways to socialize with neighbors is a hallmark of all the other events held during the season. This new market will be just another great addition to the lineup of fun things to do during the summer.

So jot the above dates on your calendar, round up the family and plan on supporting local artists, visiting with friends and supporting this fantastic venue.

Happy Summer!

Andi Bedsworth is owner of Art To Go, which brings free art opportunities to children in the community.