Most of the market’s major vendors will be open for business, and every type of seller will be represented on Sundays, including three outside farmer vendors, Harless said.
Pavilion vendors, who sell crafts, art, jewelry and other creations, also will have a strong representation, and musicians will be present, playing for tips, Harless said.
“We’re going to offer pretty much everything we offer on Saturday,” he said. “It’ll have more of a Saturday feel with the outside market, with music for entertainment.”
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Some vendors who plan on being open on Sundays include Caffeine Carl, the Flowerman, KJB Farm, the Olive Tree, the Chef Case, Crepe Bohème, Spice Rack & Bulk Foods, Cheeky Meat Pies, Tim’s Gifts N More, New World Alpaca Textiles, Dayton Urban Green, Animal Snackers Bakery, Arepas & Co. Express and Azra’s Mediterranean Cuisine.
“We are so excited and so ready for this,” said Azra Kaurin, owner of Azra’s Mediterranean Cuisine.
Five Rivers MetroParks’ pilot program, if successful, could lead the market to not only bring back Sunday hours in 2018 but also possibly expand its hours of operation further, officials said.
Success will be measured by attendance, feedback and vendor participation.
For this year, pulling Friday attendance figures on a Sunday would be an achievement, said Amy Forsthoefel, Five Rivers MetroParks’ research and analysis manager.
That equates to about 1,000 to 1,200 people every Sunday.
It’s unclear if the market will be able to reach that benchmark, but officials expect Sundays to feel a lot more like Saturdays than either Thursdays or Fridays.
Saturdays draw about 5,000 visitors during the peak parts of summer.
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For years, the buzz around the market was that vendors would love the opportunity to open on Sundays.
Now that they have that chance, vendors have lined up to participate in the pilot program, which runs June 4 to Aug. 27.
Customers also have expressed lots of interest in Sunday hours. The market will soon learn if customers’ enthusiasm matches the vendors.
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