We still have to get through the rest of winter and maybe a snowy spring, but it's never too early to start planning for outdoor summer fun like the next Sun Valley Rising Viaduct Night Market.
Sun Valley community leaders announced that the Night Market will return May 20 and again fill parking lot B at the south end of Empower Field under the Colfax Viaduct with food, music and local vendors.
The goal of the two markets held last year was to make the area more welcoming and showcase the neighborhood's rich and diverse culture, along with the local culinary and craft talent. That remains true for this year's event.
Organizers are currently looking for all types of vendors, including artists, food trucks/booths and merchants. Applications can be found here. Last year, vendors included local chefs from the Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center, such as owner Glenn Harper's fries and Litto's Taquitos. Other vendors were Cultura Craft Chocolate, Fritay Haitian Cuisine, Pho King Rapidos, Umai Express and Girls Inc of Metro Denver- Bold Beans Coffee.
This year the musical guests will be curated by Ciudad Reina, a local, Latinx-owned group focused on promoting and introducing communities to Latinx artists.
For the Night Market, Ciudad Reina owners Molly Gallegos and Enrique Jimenez will find a few musical artists to play throughout the night and a few DJs to keep the tunes playing in between acts.
Gallegos said there isn't an official lineup yet, but it will definitely fall in line with the Night Market's goal of showcasing community.
"We want to make sure the entertainment at the event matches the people who live in Sun Valley and reflects their tastes and who they are," Gallegos said. "Our mission at Ciudad Reina, and that also goes along with Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center, is to highlight and get into the neighborhoods and you can't do that if the event itself doesn't reflect who that is."
The 4-10 p.m. market is part of the West Denver Rising Initiative's international marketplace series, which includes Lunar New Year, Chile Fest and the Mid Autumn Festival. It's hosted by the Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center, the West Colfax Business Improvement District and Denver Streets Partnership.
