Night Bazaar ushers in summer heat and local crafts

By Charles Sercombe
Summer made an abrupt appearance in the metro area this past weekend, just in time for this season’s inaugural Night Bazaar.
The open-air bazaars are held in Pope Park on each month’s first Saturday, through October.
And this 2026 kickoff bazaar, which was sponsored by the city and the Downtown Development Authority, was well-attended, despite the heat.
Actually, by early evening, the shade in Pope Park had begun to provide a needed cooling-off spot.
Last Saturday’s Bazaar featured over a dozen local artisans selling such things as crocheted dolls, food, art prints and other items.
Be sure to check out the next one, on July 11, which is the second Saturday of the month instead of the first. Why’s that? Because the first Saturday of the month in July this year falls on July 4.
Posted June 12, 2026