Two new markets will soon be infiltrating the sounds, smells and tastes of Chilliwack this summer. A farmers market and a night market.

But can they survive?

Despite being an area rife with locally grown fruits and vegetables, arts and crafts, jewelry and fashions, Chilliwack has long been an area unsuccessful in the market realm.

And yet, markets are great community assets. They're healthy, environmentally friendly, support farm families and the local economy.

Chilliwack's newest market organizers believe they can create that and more.

PARTY IN THE PARK NIGHT MARKET

Hey wait a second, this market isn't new, some might say.

But it is.

Yes, Party In The Park has been operating throughout the summers for a few years now, and yes, there's been a market attached to it for the last couple of years – but not a night market.

The Downtown Business Improvement Association, sponsors of Party In The Park Night Market, decided to restructure the market after unsuccessful attempts at putting on a local-specific market.

"We wanted more of a Richmond night market feel," said Kathy Funk, executive director of the BIA.

The Richmond Night Market is a bustling summer festival; a celebration of food, culture and adventure. First established in 2000, it started out with 70 vendors, and an average of 4,500 shoppers per evening, it now has over 400 vendors and attracts more than 18,000 shoppers per evening.

And while you can discover local fare at several of the booths, you can also discover trinkets, gems and knick-knacks found in cities, markets and back alleys around the globe.

That's what the BIA wants.

Rather than just limiting sellable product to local-only, it wanted to open the market up to a range of both local and non-local fare. It wanted booths filled with sea-shell purses from Bali; woven baskets from Africa; blown glass earrings and necklaces from Chilliwack. It wanted electronics, cell phone accessories, clothing and fashion accessories, household goods, cosmetics, dog foods and so much more.

"We didn't want it to be a true farmers market in the sense of make it, bake it, or grow it, we wanted a market that would be open to everything short of flea market items," said Funk.

So far, Chilliwack's night market has attracted 30 plus vendors including jewelry makers, natural beauty products, stained glass artisans, ice cream vendors, wooden toy makers, and yes, local produce too. Several local restaurants have committed to the market, and will be featuring samples from their menus. And local entertainers will also be on hand.

"I really believe that there is something special about an outdoor night market," said Funk. "It's a really great place, with wholesome activity, for families to go to on a Friday night ... even if it never grows past 30 or 50 vendors, I think it will be a success."

Party In The Park Night Market will be located in Central Community Park on Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. from July 10 to Aug. 28.

CHILLIWACK FARMERS MARKET

Richard Desmarteau has dreamed of having a vibrant, true-blue farmers market operating out of his hometown for years.

He's shopped at markets all throughout the Fraser Valley and the Okanagan, and has picked up local Chilliwack fare at several of those markets, but has never really had the opportunity to do so in Chilliwack, his own hometown.

It was disturbing to Desmarteau, so disturbing that he decided to run for city council last year on one issue alone: Getting a farmers market up and running.

“I wasn’t really interested in winning, I just wanted to try to shine a focus onto this issue,” said Desmarteau.

There have been other make it, bake it, grow it farmers markets in Chilliwack, though; three others since 2002. But so far, none to date have been successful.

Desmarteau believes that if the Chilliwack Farmers Market can tap into the over-production of smaller growers in town, it will find success.

"Whoever grows vegetables, whether it's in your backyard, on a farm or on a much larger scale, they're going to produce more than they can possibly use," said Desmarteau. "I figured, why not appeal to the smaller grower, give them a chance to get rid of the excess material, to share it with the community instead of just throwing it into the compost."

In its first couple of weeks, the market has attracted a small group of local fruits and vegetable vendors, bakers, and artisans.

The organizers have developed a three year plan that they believe will change the fate of farmers markets in Chilliwack.

"Once people become aware that we we're here, this will get a life of it's own," said Desmarteau. "That's what we're aiming for."

Chilliwack Farmers Market is located in the parking lot of Minter Country Garden Store on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

krobinson@theprogress.com