Hillary Harvey
Kingston’s Night Market isn’t just a place to go shopping for handmade items like reclaimed wood cutting boards, pepper mills by PK Brown Woodworking, artful napkin holders by Michael Lalicki, one of a kind jewelry, artwork, syrups, and vintage clothing, it’s also a place to bring the kids.
Started a few years ago by a consortium of Rondout business owners, Night Market was created with a vision to host a pop-up street festival that would highlight neighborhood businesses and bring people together from all over the Hudson Valley. Held the third Friday of each summer month, it also provides community and connection with local artists and vendors. As families walk the stalls and peruse the stores, they’re tasting and listening to music and meeting new friends. It’s one of those events where you ultimately bump into people you know, and get to feel part of the whole Hudson Valley.
Working your way up Broadway from Gallo Park on the Rondout, you can grab some delicious dinner at food trucks and your favorite waterfront restaurants, and indulge in the most delicious ice cream you’ve ever tasted (seriously, get the chocolate) from the Just Good Eats Soda Fountain cart, where you can even mix flavors in your scoop. In the pocket park on the corner of Broadway and Abeel Streets, there’s live music each week and beautiful furniture from Milne’s At Home Antiques to rest upon. The stores on the strip participate with tastes and treats and deals, including Night Market bouquets from Hops Petunia. It’s a neighborhood event for the whole family that welcomes everyone as a neighbor.
Kingston’s Night Market, downtown Broadway on the Rondout in Kingston: third Fridays, June-September, 6-10p, free! The 2016 season is presented by Kingston Waterfront Business Association (KWBA) and Ulster County Tourism.
Don’t miss Night Market this Friday, August 19th. And make a weekend of it! Chronogram’s much-anticipated annual Block Party on Wall Street in Uptown Kingston is on Saturday, August 20th, from 4-11p (and beyond at BSP, so get a sitter for a late-night date).
