The first-ever Evening Market on the Esplanade was a huge hit.
Vendor Krista Wynn from Soap At Home says she was happy to see so many people out and about in downtown Trail Wednesday evening.
“There was a huge turn-out,” she said adding that the atmosphere was positive. “It reminded me of when the fair is in town and you go to the food market. It was a really nice feeling. It had a really great community feeling to it.”
Wynn says she would definitely sign up to be a vendor should the Trail and District Chamber of Commerce and the City of Trail decide to host another one.
Norm Casler, executive director of the chamber, says that another market could definitely be in the cards for Trail.
“You can be sure that we are going to be taking a look and having that conversation,” he said the day after the night market. “It is definitely something that we would consider for next year.”
Andrea Jolly, communications and event coordinator for the City of Trail, says she has already heard demand from visitors and vendors for another market.
“We clearly saw that it was a success and from what we've heard, the community wants more,” she said, adding that although the night market is a bit more challenging, logistically, to put together, the city will support another one. “If the market committee chooses to continue with evening markets in 2015, we will definitely continue to encourage several food vendors and great music.”
Casler has also heard some feedback from customers and vendors reiterating the need for the next night market.
“The number one comment I got that stood out to me was, 'let's do it again,' and 'let's do it more often,'” he said.
The entertainment for the evening was performed by Clinton Swanson and Friends and was a highlight of the night for some, including Casler.
“Frankly, what stood out to me was having such an incredibly good band there,” he said. “The band just brought a new ambience to the whole thing and it was just perfect.”
According to Jolly, the market wasn't only beneficial to vendors, but local businesses in downtown Trail as well.
“Many vendors sold out due to the high volume of customers (and) it was great to see some downtown businesses handing out coupons for in-store evening market specials,” she said.
“It had a great impact on the businesses downtown,” added Casler. “The businesses have already commented that more people were stopping by.”
Casler says he, and other market-goers, hadn't seen that many people downtown in a long time.
“A couple of people said they hadn't seen it that busy downtown since the Bryan Adams concert (in February),” he said.