Sewickley Night Mart event brings people from multiple communities to the borough

The sounds of classic rock and pop hits and the smell of barbecue, tacos and other food filled the main streets of Sewickley for a late-July celebration.

Thousands of people packed parts of Beaver Street for the first of three Sewickley Chamber of Commerce Night Marts.

The events are designed to draw people to the business district while providing networking opportunities for entrepreneurs.

“I am absolutely grateful for the community support, and I have heard nothing but fantastic feedback of how happy people are to be out and about again and seeing people they haven’t seen in over a year,” said chamber director Diana Kauffman. “It feels a little bit like we’re getting back to normal, and we couldn’t ask for more perfect weather.”

There was hardly a cloud in the sky July 30. The event was organized in less than eight weeks with a little less participation than normal due to pandemic safety restrictions.

Kauffman said they usually start calling vendors and other potential participants in March, but they had to wait until June to make sure everything was feasible.

“We’re just working hard,” she said. “We all want to stay in business.”

About 24 businesses extended their hours and 15 artisans set up tents/booths for the event. There were at least five food trucks including LaCatrina on Wheels, Sinkers & Suds, Cilantro & Ajo and Slurp-n-Burst boba tea.

“There’s something for everyone,” said resident Alissa Wilmot. She helped her daughters, Claire, 7, and Victoria, 10, paint cereal bowls while her son, Blake, 13, played with friends.

The Sewickley Barbershop offered free beard trims and sandwiches.

Co-owners Jay McAuliffe and Justin David opened up shop about three months ago.

“We just wanted to be a part of the community,” David said. “We’re going to try to be a part of as many events as we can, get our name out there and interact with the community a little bit more. The way the town has opened up to us and welcomed us has been phenomenal. We would have never expected anything like that.”

John Delvin of Martinsburg, Blair County, made the near 2 1/2 hour trek to check out the barbershop and experience the event. He’s a friend of a friend of McAuliffe.

“I met Jay before and found out they were doing the free beard stuff,” Delvin said. “My wife (Tara) asked me to see if I wanted to get it done. It saves me from doing it myself, so I came down and had it done. It was (worth the trip). I’ve heard about (the shop) from Jay and I just never been here.”

Delvin’s trim was in time for a major anniversary. Tara and John tied the knot nine years ago on Aug. 18.

Bobby Thompson and the Groove performed throughout the night to the delight of many, including Madelyn Imblum, 3, of Moon Township. She was dancing front and center with her mother, Amber Hapkins.

“We came out for (the band) and to check out all the artisans and the boutiques and the food trucks,” Hapkins said. “It’s just a good community event.”

Cyndie Jelinek of Cranberry said she never saw Bobby Thompson before the Night Mart. She became an instant fan.

“I love them,” Jelinek said. “This is fun walking around the streets and listening to the great band and dancing; Wooooo!”

Borough police assisted with crowd and traffic control.

The next Night Mart is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 27.

James Tobin & The Dewey Decimators are expected to be the live entertainment.

More information about chamber activities is available at sewickleychamberofcommerce.org.