ST. GEORGE — From butterflies encased in glass to pint-sized veggies and homemade doggy delights, this market is lighting up Wednesday nights like a neon sign in Vegas. Organizers told St. George News on Tuesday that they’re moving locations from St. George to Washington City beginning May 22.
“We wanted to build an event where people wanted to come and hang out,” Wednesday Night Market Co-founder Summer Altena said. “Right now it’s fire pits and line dancing. In the summer we will have relay races with water balloons and buckets. No matter the season, we’ll be doing something fun.”
Summer and her husband Harry Altena are the masterminds behind Airplant Buddies and Pops Chips and Salsa, which birthed the brainchild of the Wednesday Night Market. But don’t let the cozy vibes fool you, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill pop-up. It’s now officially a certified farmers market.
Since their businesses were featured by St. George News in November 2022, Summer Altena noted a significant increase in their businesses’ success. They now participate weekly at the St. George Downtown Farmers Market, the Sunrise Market and their new Wednesday Night Market.
The couple began their business journey at the Hurricane market before moving to the Downtown Farmers Market. Over the past year and a half, they haven’t missed a single Saturday vending at the Downtown Market.
“We joke that we should get a perfect attendance award,” Harry Altena said.
The idea for a midweek market struck like lightning after the Altenas got a taste of the Festival City Farmers Market Summer Festival, a Wednesday night extravaganza. Fueled by the chorus of folks chanting for a midweek market fix in St. George, they stewed over the idea for eight months before diving headfirst into the madness.
“I do want to say that all the markets in the area are great,” Summer Altena said. “We’re grateful for them all. Without them, we wouldn’t have ever even started and wouldn’t know what we’re doing. We’re all here to help each other.”
All vendors at the Wednesday Night Market must meet one key requirement: their goods must be homemade. Seeing these talented artisans thrive and earn extra income is the ultimate aim for the organizers.
“We hand select all these people to come here that we feel are really cool, happy, fun people,” Harry Altena said. “We just try to make it a happy, fun market with a killer good vibe.”
The market is nestled in the parking lot of the new Rowleys Red Barn location in Washington. Red Barn offers farm fresh produce, has a bakery and ice cream shop and hosts a variety of events.
Brian Powell, Co-owner of The Biscuit Bus, had already parked his four-wheel food business in the same parking lot when he had the idea to connect Hawes and the Altena family.
“We’re doing something a little different,” Powell said about the market. “It continues to get momentum and it continues to be a really fun thing. The vibe is so cool because you’ve got the music, you’ve got people eating, just so many things to do and see.”
Harry and Summer Altena’s son Brodie and daughter Rylee have helped significantly with the market. From setting up the fire pits, chairs and tables to problem-solving, they’ve helped turn the market into what it’s become. Rylee Altena also makes and sells her own jewelry — Beach Cowboy Jewelry — which she’s been making since she was 13. Her jewelry includes waterproof rings, bracelets, necklaces, copper cuffs and more.
As twilight descends, the market transforms into a twinkling wonderland, with fairy lights adorning every booth. And with the fire crackling and music pumping, Red Rock Country Swing encourages attendees to kick up their boots and dance like nobody’s watching.
“There’s a great variety with good people and that makes it a great environment so that people want to come back,” Summer Altena said. “We hope everyone from the community comes to check it out.”
Itching to dive into the Wednesday Night Market scene? Hop over to their Instagram for more information. Have burning questions or ready to join their vendor squad? Shoot them a DM.
Update May 14, 11 a.m. to include the market’s new location.
Event details
- What: Wednesday Night Market
- When: Every Wednesday from 4:30-8 p.m.
- Where: Rowley’s Red Barn, 471 W. Telegraph Street in Washington City
- Admission: Free
Photo Gallery
An attendee and her dog enjoy the Wednesday Night Market, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Red rock Kombucha sells products at the Wednesday market, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Ashlin Gubler, owner of Butterfly Effect Studio, sells her butterfly art at the Wednesday Night Market, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Fish Tacos are served at the Wednesday Night Market, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Shelby Blacker with Wild Grove Essentials sells her natural skincare and bath products at the Wednesday Night Market, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Attendees of the Wednesday Night Market order fresh biscuits from The Biscuit Bus, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Attendees of the Wednesday Night Market enjoy the food, music and vendors, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Microgreens from Prairie House Farms are available for purchase at the market, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Breann Sornsen and Maya Lawrence sell their homemade sourdough bread at the Wednesday Night Market in St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Attendees of the Wednesday Night Market enjoy the food, music and vendors, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Todd with Dinkers Glazed Nuts sells fresh deliciousness at the Wednesday Night Market in St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Dinkers Glazed Nuts offers fresh samples at the Wednesday Night Market in St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Attendees of the Wednesday Night Market enjoy the food, music and vendors, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
The Wednesday Night Market first took place in the parking lot of Cotton & Rust Trading Company before moving to Washington City, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Cotton & Rust Trading Company owner Kendra Hawes smiles for the camera inside her store in St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Nature’s Foundry owner Sam Shrout sells his metal-cast mushrooms at the Wednesday Night Market, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
A mural on the side of Cotton & Rust Trading Company is pictured in George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Red Rock Country Swing leads the crowd in line dancing during the Wednesday Night Market in George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
A truck sign advertises the Wednesday Night Market on St. George Blvd in St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Harry and Summer Altena, founders of the Wednesday Night Market, pose for a photo in front of their booth, St. George, Utah, March 6, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.