Greensburg Night Market plans expansion

The Greensburg Night Market is getting bigger this year, both in size and in the number of vendors who set up shop during the event.

This year, the market will stretch three city blocks, running along South Pennsylvania Avenue from West Otterman to West Third streets. The event usually takes up one block.

In addition, the market will feature 80 vendors, double the number of vendors that participated in last year’s event.

“We’ve been wanting to shut down South Pennsylvania Avenue for an event for over six years,” said Jessica Hickey, founder of the Downtown Greensburg Project, which hosts the event. “After the growth of the Greensburg Night Market over the last three years, we knew that this was the event that could make it happen.”

Hickey first started hosting the markets in 2019. That year, three dates were hosted on Pennsylvania Avenue in conjunction with the Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s TGIS Concert Series and three at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. In 2019, the market featured 28 vendors, taking up half a block.

The next year, the market stayed on Pennsylvania Avenue. Several precautions were taken in 2020 as the covid-19 pandemic spread across the region.

Last year, the market featured 40 vendors and attracted between 3,500 and 4,000 people.

According to Hickey, the Downtown Greensburg Project began talking with the city last year about a possible expansion, which will incorporate several businesses along the South Pennsylvania corridor.

“We know there’s a lot of businesses on that block that do use the parking, but we’re hoping the tradeoff of over 3,500 people walking down the street, seeing and going into their businesses during the night market each month makes up for it,” she said. “We always say, if every other city and town in the world can do it, why can’t we?”

Keven Miscik, owner of Lapels, A Fine Men’s Clothier, said in a news release that he was excited for another year of the market.

“I’m so happy it’s being extended down South Pennsylvania Avenue. It’s great for our community and our small businesses,” Miscik said.

This year, the night market is scheduled for April 28, May 19, June 30, July 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 29.

New and returning vendors will be featured during each event, which also will include live music and food and drink.

Several city government officials touted the expansion of the event.

“Helping the night market was the easiest decision I have had to make since joining council,” city council member Greg Mertz said in the release. “It’s been a growing attraction for a couple of years now, even through the hits caused by covid. This expansion will make it a feature that highlights our downtown and helps our local businesses.”

Mayor Robert Bell added: “We look forward to enjoying the company of more vendors and shoppers in downtown Greensburg. It’s always a great time for friends and family.”

Vendor applications are open until Feb. 25. Applications can be submitted by visiting GreensburgNightMarket.com and clicking on the vendor application link.

Sponsorship positions also are available. Interested sponsors can apply through the Greensburg Night Market website.