Last year, Pike County Extension Fine Arts organized the first  Elkhorn City Night Market.  The market serves the rural Pike County community with a population of 852.  One of the goals of Pike County Extension Fine Arts is community building through the arts.  The night market is an ideal medium for achieving this.  Featuring local artisans, food vendors, small businesses, and musicians, the market allows people to mingle, shop, and support their local economy in an innovative and grassroots way.

This year, Pike County Extension Fine Arts organized two night markets, one in early August and one in late September.  The theme in August was a celebration of summer while September was a fall festival, featuring hay rides and even a bonfire  for roasting S’mores!  The success of the market speaks highly of the value Pike County Extension Fine Arts brings to the local community. 

In August, we had over 1,000 people, a number larger than the population of the city itself, attend the market to shop from 37 local artisans and small businesses.  Food vendors completely sold out. Multiple vendors reported having excellent sales. A handmade jewelry vendor said, “For sales, this is one of the most successful events I attend.  I do better here in one evening than the festivals I go to and those last a few days.”

In September, we had 800 attendees shop from 35 local artisans and small businesses.  The markets allow residents to greet each other in passing, strike up conversations about community, and make real economic impact in their small town.  Showcasing the value of shopping local, they are proof that by supporting your neighbor’s economy, you also support your own.