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Second summer market hits the Ave Wednesday

The Oak Bay Night Market marks the second Wednesday of each month this summer
Oak Bay Night Market 3
The night market on Oak Bay Avenue shifts to second Wednesdays this year in hopes of more light come the final street party in September.

If you think the second summer street market came sooner than usual you’re right. The Oak Bay Night Market marks the second Wednesday of each month this summer. With the second on July 9.

“We changed it because that last Wednesday in September was just a little too dark,” said Elizabeth Smith, president of the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association that organizes the event of more than 100 vendors each year.

“We’ve got some new vendors, and some of the old favourites are coming back,” Smith said. “For example, we have a new vendor that puts artwork onto T-shirts, that’s really quite compelling, it sounds really interesting. Then we have another new vendor who works with silver and cutlery and makes jewelry from it. That’s the kind of thing we get excited about, something that’s a little different.”

Favourites such as the handmade cedar garden furniture, baking and pottery vendors will all make a return for the sixth year of the monthly market on the Ave.  Government House will sell items from its gift shop and garden.

“Some merchants in the BIA will bring their business outside,” Smith said.

The Victoria Shakespeare Society will perform scenes from its summer program and entertainment for the July 9 market includes Karly Summers and Los Gringos Locos.

“We try and make it so it just blends in with the ambience of the market,” Smith said.

An increased number of street food vendors will also be set up.

“What you really notice is people stopping and seeing each other. You’ll see little clumps of people standing around talking. It makes my heart sing,” Smith said.

The market operates from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oak Bay Avenue between Monterey and Wilmot streets. The Oak Bay Night Market runs rain or shine on July 9, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10.

 

Go to visitoakbayvillage.ca or the Oak Bay Village Facebook page for updates.