Outdoor Holiday Markets – Or – Perhaps Outdoor Year-Round Markets

Just finished reading Outdoor Holiday Markets Spread Across America, and came up with a bunch of ideas.

Town Meeting just voted to acquire the Pocket Park in Dennisport.  During the discussions of this acquisition many struggled with the question of whether this property would be better for the village as a park, or with a new business on the site.  I have to admit that there are advantages to both from an economic development point of view.  That is what makes the idea of an Outdoor Market so attractive.

Picture the park with a couple of temporary kiosks targeted towards Dennisport Artisans (thinking ones not located directly in the village). Perhaps a potter, painter or glass blower.  Perhaps the kiosks are intermixed with downtown businesses and these artisans.

Shelburne Falls Moonlight Madness Fire Juggler

Shelburne Falls Moonlight Madness, a once a year festival held in Shelburne Falls MA comes to mind as an example.  The local businesses and artisans shut the downtown streets down for one night between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Glass blowers, potters, jugglers, musicians and everyone else from miles around takeover these streets and have a large festival to celebrate the holiday shopping season.

The Pocket Park could be used to attract people on a weekly basis.  A few artist tents, a musician, or even better the choruses from Ezra Baker and Wixon Schools performing in the park.  Four weekends, four mini-events as outdoor holiday markets to attract holiday spending in the village.

We could also expand upon the concept.  Imagine the Pocket Park being used on big weekends in the summer.  Classical guitar, street performers, an artisan or two, all could turn the park into an even bigger attraction to the village.

Just idle ideas.  Perhaps the Dennisport Revitalization Committee or the Dennisport Merchants Association could explore this concept and position us for next Holiday Season.