This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The 626 Night Market will be returning to Pasadena for the second time.
The first night market in Southern California—based on an institution in many Asian countries—premiered in April but it ended up being too popular for its own good. The people who made it out complained that it was too crowded: there was too much traffic, too little parking and too few vendors. But this time the organizers say that they've learned their lessons for round two, which they're planning to hold in July.
It will be held on Saturday, July 28th, 2012 from 4 pm to 11:30 pm in Pasadena at Centennial Square in front of Pasadena City Hall. Admission will be free again.
In an e-mail, the organizers said that it had learned its lesson from the last night market:
The first 626 Night Market in April attracted an enormously overwhelming crowd that far exceeded expectations and provided several challenges that will be addressed in this second event. The organizers have considered the public’s feedback and are improving all aspects of operations and the overall experience.
So how are they going to make it up this time? For starters, organizers say that the new venue near City Hall will be four times larger (six blocks) than the space at Oakland Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Some parking lots that are normally closed on Saturdays will be opened up, so that there will be over 10,000 parking spaces should you decide to come. Prepaid parking will be available at the event's website. The city will be working on making sure the traffic flows, but organizers are working on incentives so that market-goers will want to take the Gold Line or buses.
During the last 626 Night Market, there were complaints that the vendor selection wasn't that great. Initially, organizers said it was hard to convince vendors that anyone would come out to the event—the epic crowds that turned out last time disabused them of this fear. This time, the market will have triple the number of vendors it did last time selling street-style food, merchandise and games.
Will you brave the market for round 2?
Related:
Was the 626 Night Market a 626 Nightmare?
Prepare Yourselves: The 626 Night Market Wants to Return
L.A.'s First Asian Night Market Pops Up April 14
