Market Niagara makes mark downtown
Summer lead-in to Labour Day weekend’s Livestock Music Festival
It’s a farmers’ market with more on its plate than just food.
Since Canada Day, the parking lot at Taps Brewery in downtown Niagara Falls has transformed into Market Niagara every Sunday, offering up art and live music to go with the grub.
The licensed market received $5,000 this year from the Niagara Falls Cultural Development Fund, and serves as a summerlong lead-in to the annual Livestock Music Festival on the same site Sept. 7 to 9.
“Honestly, there’s a need for it down here,” says lead co-ordinator Rafik Guirguis. “Just from living down here for two years, there’s a scarcity in accessible locally grown goods.”
In just a month, the market has attracted a loyal downtown following, he adds.
“The people that live down here have become regulars. They come looking for it every Sunday.”
About eight artists are taking part the first year, selling their jewelry, metal works, woodworking, toys and more. Proceeds go towards Project SHARE.
“A lot of the vendors are so grateful because they love the atmosphere here,” says vendor
co-ordinator Ashlee Standish. “We have eight people here who are here for 10 weeks. They’re really committed to it.”
Joining the market Sunday was Niagara Falls portrait artist Kayla Jenkins, doing live art, accompanied by St. Catharines singer Charles J. Hunk on the Taps outdoor stage.
“It’s really cool,” she says. “It’s neat that the community is doing more for the arts and trying to build more of a sense of community. That’s an awesome thing.”
The market also offers weekly Yoga in the Park sessions across the street with Ashlee Michelle, and a drum circle/open jam after closing.
Guirguis says the market, along with Livestock, is his attempt to “create platforms for different things.”
“For music, for arts and vendors. We’re creating a place for people in the arts and culture scene.”