By Brady Reeves
Cedar Falls debuted its first-ever Night Market Wednesday evening, creating a new opportunity for local entrepreneurs to connect with customers while drawing residents downtown to enjoy a summer evening filled with vendors, live music and activities.
“The hope was to bring people downtown for a laid-back, family-friendly evening,” said Brynn Vander Beek, events and marketing coordinator for Cedar Falls Community Main Street.
Many attendees had marked their calendars for the Night Market, while others found themselves amid the festivities through a bit of serendipity during their usual Main Street routines or special occasions.
That was the case for Jaden Benesh and Tate Collum, who had unknowingly scheduled their engagement shoot for the same evening. Rather than disrupt their plans, the unexpected energy gave their photos a lively backdrop and added to what they described as a beautiful day.
Friends and families filled the street throughout the evening, but one booth in particular, Flower Girl Face Painting, consistently drew young visitors.
Its owner, Mary Stichter, came to Cedar Falls in 1976 as a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa. She recently finished her 46th year as an educator, including 36 years teaching at UNI.
Stichter discovered face painting four years ago while attending her granddaughter’s birthday celebration. Since then, she has brought her brushes and bright colors to downtown events including Live to 9 and ARTapalooza.
“I should be paying people for giving me the opportunity to do what I love so much,” Stichter said.
Something that never gets old for Stichter is the big reveal. After finishing a design, she hands each child a mirror and watches as they light up and giggle at their reflection.
“It feeds my heart,” she said.
Main Street in Bloom
Downtown storefronts also rose to the occasion, flower pun intended, by propping open their doors, decorating their windows and creating unique signage and promotions to that invited marketgoers to explore beyond the vendor booths.
Leah Hovey, owner of Flora Design Studio, used her storefront as a backdrop for her table, blending her business into the larger market taking shape along Main Street.
Fresh arrangements were not the only flowers on display. Cedar Falls native Brittany McCreery, owner of Wildflowers by Brittany, showcased artwork made with dried and pressed flowers. After participating in the farmers market in the past, she was excited for a fresh opportunity to share her craft with the community.
“What I enjoyed most was visiting with the guests downtown and getting to share my craft with everyone,” McCreery said.
The Night Market was not only a feast for the eyes and ears. Visitors moved among the scents of baked goods, handmade soaps, wax melts and fresh flowers as colorful displays lined the street.
Jeff Morrow, owner of Two Morrows Flowers, said the Night Market gave vendors an opportunity to connect with both familiar and new faces in the community. This year marks the business’s ninth season at the farmers market. The booth featured peonies, salvia and other seasonal blooms create made-to-order bouquets.
Two Morrows Flowers used peonies, salvia and other seasonal blooms to create made-to-order bouquets for customers for that evening.
As visitors browsed the booths along Main Street, performances by Dillon and Breen Greer and Hope Chestnut carried live music through downtown, drawing listeners including fellow local musician Logan K. Strong. That same mix of live music, local vendors and four-legged visitors will return when the next Cedar Falls Night Market takes place July 15.
Strong praised the first Night Market for giving musicians an enjoyable setting to perform while also offering a slightly different atmosphere from the traditional farmers market.
“It’s a lot of the same great, local vendors and a lot more smiling faces and a lot more dogs,” Strong said.
