Starkville’s third annual Night Market is coming to town from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday in Fire Station Park. With live music, craft beers and vendors from all across the state, Night Market is a great place for families and friends to connect and support Starkville and the cities of Mississippi.
A range of local and statewide business will sell their handmade goods ranging from sticky buns to men’s cologne.
George Mary’s, a unique small business founded in the heart of Starkville, is particularly excited about the upcoming festival. Alesia Lucas, founder and owner of the indie shop George Mary’s, has participated in the festival since its start in 2016.
Lucas said the Night Market, which is one day before Mississippi State University’s first home game of the season, is an attractive event for any visitors in town, not just locals.
“This is one of the most fun community events that highlights small business in a fun social atmosphere,” Lucas said. “Night Market also involves the community and guests coming into town for game day weekends.”
Paige Watson, the special events and project coordinator with the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, is excited about the event and hopes members of the entire Starkville community will attend.
“This is an event that appeals to all audiences,” Watson said. “Whenever you come, it won’t feel like you are in Starkville; it will feel like you’re somewhere much more upscale.”
Night Market is not exclusively shopping, and will host a variety of specialty food vendors, as well as a craft beer festival and multiple Mississippi breweries.
The craft beer festival is one of the most anticipated events of Night Market and will host a selection of multiple locally-brewed beers. For $15, attendees over 21 can sample a small glass of all the beers offered at the festival. They will also receive three tickets that are exchangeable for a 12-ounce glass of whichever craft beer tastes they desire.
Gabrielle Luna, a MSU senior, said she loves engaging in the community and looks forward to an opportunity full of music, food and shopping.
“I cannot wait to sample all of the different beers and peruse all of the local shops,” Luna said. “Being able to support local businesses is something that is very important to me, and being able to do it in a festival atmosphere is icing on the cake.”