Sewickley Night Mart brings thousands to the borough

Liam Loughney had the best view out of the thousands of people in attendance for this summer’s opening Sewickley Chamber of Commerce Night Mart.

The young borough resident was perched atop his father, Roger’s, shoulders as the pair made their way through the crowd along Beaver Street June 30.

“I love it,” said Liam, 7.

The marts are open from 6-9 p.m. the last Friday of the month June through August.

“The night mart is on the calendar every year,” Loughney said. “We come every month to hang out.”

Festivities are between Broad and Walnut streets. More than 25 artisans and a baker’s dozen of food trucks are scheduled to participate each night.

Sewickley police and Cochran Hose Co. volunteer firefighters also take part in the festivities to ensure everyone is safe and has fun.

The mart is organized by Erica Parr, owner of Closet Rehab. It is her third year at the helm.

“This is the largest event that we’ve planned to date,” Parr said. “We still kept everything on Beaver Street. We’ve also extended up Locust (Place) to allow for more food vendors and activities and include a lot of those businesses that have opened up on Locust to expand the Village business district. I think the attendance has been really good this year.”

Pittsburgh artist Vince Ornato drew caricatures of folks, including Layla Connell, 7, of Sewickley.

“We love coming out because we see our friends from school and camp and our neighbors,” said Layla’s mom, Alex Connell. “It’s nice to support all the local businesses.”

Layla said she loved her picture and liked “that there’s a lot of sugary stuff” at the mart.

Rockers Bobby Thompson and the Groove made their return to the Night Mart much to the delight of the crowd. They covered some classic tunes and performed original songs.

Artisans featured wares ranging from candles, soaps, handmade acrylic earrings to semi-precious jewelry, permanent bracelets, plants, pottery, art and steel decor, specialty woodwork decor and kitchen accessories.

One of the newest vendors at the event was Three Dogs Alaskan Salsa, run by Alan and Pam Blizzard. The couple lived in Eagle River, Alaska, for about 18 years and would make salsa as Christmas gifts.

They moved to Sewickley about a decade ago and launched their business last fall.

“Our first ever event was the Sewickley Harvest Festival,” Alan Blizzard said. “I had made (salsa) for 20 years and people kept saying, ‘You should (sell) this.’

“We just decided to see how we were doing. So far, it’s going really well. We’ve got a mild, medium and we will have a hot (salsa) getting made for us. It will be out in July and called Junkyard Dog. It’s been a great crowd. We’ve had a good response and we’re hoping to come back (to Night Mart).”

Homestead-based Jim’s Smokin’ Que was one of the more popular food vendors. This is JSQ’s fifth year at the mart.

“We love the people,” pitmaster Chris Fisher said. “Everyone loves the ribs (and) we love the people in Sewickley.”

JSQ offered ribs, pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese and baked beans. Eaters could get it all topped with a signature sweet sauce.

Other food vendors included Uni Ramen Bar, Veggies N’at, Pita My Shawarma, When in Rome, Slurp-N-Burst Boba Tea, Papa Duke’s Paris Grill and Singers & Suds.

Artisans included Fjord and Fable, Daisy Me Rollin’, Baxter and the Bear, Sweet Alchemy Bake Shop and CandyWrap Island.

More information about Night Mart and other chamber events is available at sewickleychamberofcommerce.org.