The Greensburg Night Market is expected to draw as many as 7,000 visitors downtown this week as the popular event resumes its outdoor schedule.

Organizers will kick off the market’s eighth season Thursday night with about 150 vendors selling their wares along four city blocks that make up much of Greensburg’s central business district, the stretch along South Pennsylvania Avenue from Otterman Street down through West Fourth Street.

The market runs 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month through October. It will have alternate dates during the holidays in November and December.

“This has had a huge impact on the city. It brings so many people here and as I say we need to get feet in the street. We’ve seen it grown over the years and it means so much to the city and our retailers in downtown,” said Greensburg Mayor Robb Bell.

The market is not run by the city.

It’s operated privately by the Downtown Greensburg Project, a for-profit marketing company based in the city.

Downtown Greensburg Project founder Jessica Hickey said she conceived of the market in 2019 as a means to bring business to the downtown community where she resides. The initial markets that year were held on one block behind the Westmoreland County Courthouse and at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

“They were test runs to see what worked. The next year was covid. We had about 45 vendors and we spread everything out. Then it took off and the city asked if we could expand,” Hickey said.

Expand they did.

Since 2022, the market has hosted about 150 vendors and has attracted a heavy turnout from Greensburg and beyond. Shoppers can roam over the four-block downtown, which also includes an area along West Second Street and an outdoor parking lot, to sample food, crafts and other merchandise from local and regional vendors.

The local retail business are expected to be open during the market, which will also feature music and other family activities.

“We have a lot of great businesses here in Greensburg and this gives people from all over a chance to see what’s here. People from all over the region know about the Greensburg Night Market now,” Hickey said.

The market operates ran or shine. Weather has caused just three cancellations over the years, the last because of a windstorm in October.

A free shuttle service that runs from the Greensburg Garden Center to the market will ease the parking crunch downtown, Hickey said.

The city is ready for the large crowds that are expected.

Bell said the city police and emergency personnel will direct traffic and provide security for the event. Greensburg receives no direct revenue and has no major expenses related to the market, he said.

“The city’s role is to support them. Really, whatever the expense it’s worth it to the city of Greensburg,” Bell said.