Oakmont Chamber of Commerce has final Night Market of the year
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Oakmont Chamber of Commerce closed out the summer with a few hundred people at its Night Market.
The last of three such vendor and community outreach gatherings took place in the borough business district Friday, Aug. 19.
Several businesses such as the Oakmont Olive Oil Co. stayed open later than usual and had special deals to mark the occasion.
“The markets have been great,” owner Sharon Carroll said. “We’ve had great weather for all of them. Usually we’re not open on Friday evenings, but we’re open for the market. It’s a great way to bring people back in to town to eat at the restaurants and really get to experience the stores.
“We’ve had some new store openings since covid started. Really be able to, in a nice family atmosphere, stroll in the street, shop, eat and see what Oakmont has to offer.”
Participating vendors included Still Mill Distillery, Bygone Wines, Bentley’s Doggie Bistro, Oakmont Embroidery, The Peddler, Potted, Color Street and Elliot Lane Handmade Jewelry.
Oakmont Candle Works debuted its fall scents including warm apple pie, butterscotch and various pumpkin incarnations.
Chelsea Koenig of Phoenix, Ariz., said she was in town visiting family and had a good time at the market.
She was among those sampling drinks from The Juicery at Oakmont.
Saleswoman Kalee Thornton said it was a great time serving people at her tent.
“It’s really nice,” Thornton said. “It shows a lot of people that we’re open, and we have a lot of menu items. It’s really nice seeing everybody in the community.”
The musical duo of Jane West and Katie Simone of Pittsburgh entertained the crowds with various tunes such as “Stay” by Lisa Loeb and “You’re the One that I Want” from the musical “Grease.”
Chamber Director Karen DeTurck said the final night market was a successful learning experience despite a few vendor cancellations and competing with Little Italy Days in Bloomfield.
“It went really well,” she said. “We’re looking forward to next year, next summer, possibly having one in May instead of starting in June. All three were pretty successful, and we got a lot of new members from them. That’s always a good thing.
“July was fantastic. I got a lot of compliments from the vendors. We didn’t realize Little Italy Days was going to be the same weekend (in August). We may reexamine (the dates) to avoid conflicts.”
Little Italy Days attracts hundreds of booths.
It took place this year Aug. 18-21.
The next Oakmont chamber event is a fall festival Oct. 29.
More information about chamber activities is available at oakmont-pa.com.