These Night Markets Are Lighting Up Cities
As farmers markets and food truck rallies now seemingly pop up everywhere, a new nocturnal trend has recharged the street food scene and illuminated the rich potential hidden in long-forgotten neighborhoods across the US. Inspired by the late-night street markets found in many Asian cities, more and more night markets have taken root stateside to expose a rich, cultural melting pot that has largely simmered unnoticed to US audiences. Here, we take a look at the most popular night markets shedding light on local culture from coast-to-coast.
Image Credit: NEWaukee
Billed as a collision of all things Milwaukee - NEWaukee started the Night Market in the summer of 2014 with the goal of creating a free, vibrant, safe and interactive place in downtown Milwaukee for people to experience culture at night. The program features art and craft vendors, technology installations, food trucks, live art creation, performances, local music, a beer garden and interactive non-profit booths. NEWaukee Night Market is a summertime affair, held from 5-10pm one Wednesday each month from June through September along Wisconsin Ave.
Image Credit: NEWaukee
Image Credit: NEWaukee
The redevelopment of West Wisconsin Avenue has been a major undertaking in downtown Milwaukee since a 2011 task force created by Mayor Tom Barrett led to a focused development plan spearheaded by the Milwaukee Redevelopment Corporation- the business community’s not-for-profit civic developer. Milwaukee Redevelopment Corporation ultimately formed a non-profit within the MRC umbrella called the Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee Development Corporation. This new entity works with many civic and private community partners to target redevelopment, business development and placemaking opportunities along Wisconsin Ave between the Milwaukee River and Marquette University (an area that once served as the retail epicenter of Milwaukee, but that which has fallen into disrepair over the past decade). NEWaukee, who runs the Night Market, serves on the Creative Placemaking Subcommittee of the Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee Development Corporation.
Image Credit: NEWaukee
NEWaukee creates programs and initiatives that are meant to motivate Milwaukeeans to look critically at the city, realize its potential and to empower people to positively shape the future of Milwaukee. One of the most visible ways in which NEWaukee operates is through the creation of what are called Signature Experiences- such as the Night Market, Detour by Carr (an in-depth bus tour and exploration of culture, history, and texture in Milwaukee neighborhoods), Tournavation (a crowd-sourced idea generation platform that focuses on solving important issues that face the city of Milwaukee) and the Lunar Music Series (a weekly summer music program hosted at the Milwaukee Athletic Club that features live local musical talent).
Image Credit: NEWaukee