Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — The South Main Mercado, an outdoor market that started as a way to showcase the city’s Latino community, is getting bigger in its second year.
Organizers of the event plan to shut down part of South Main Street between Cedar and Morgan streets for all the food trucks, vendor booths, services and entertainment.
The event is slated to take place from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 9.
More news: New natural playground to be built at Klehm Arboretum in south Rockford
“We are excited for what this big step will mean for the southwest community,” Cat Valdez, chairperson of committee the organizes the event, said Wednesday in a news release. “The committee is ready to push the boundaries of what is possible and show up for our heritage and empower economic development of the region.”
The South Main Mercado is organized by a partnership between Ethnic Heritage Museum and Comprehensive Community Solutions. Last year, it featured 40 booths with retail, food, bilingual information and services and other nonprofit groups gathered at Heritage Museum Park.
This year, the space allows for up to 75 booths with six food trucks, a stage for entertainment, space for dancing and a family zone in partnership with the YMCA of Rock River Valley and the Rockford Park District.
“The Mercado team looks forward to all the collaborations that this event brings, especially the partnerships with the South Main businesses within and around the footprint,” Valdez said. “The South Main Mercado team is dedicated to building a grass-roots movement to inspire community-driven action from the Latino community and the South Main corridor.”
The event is funded with help from the Forward for Fun initiative, which provides funding for each of the city’s 14 wards for public events meant to spur business and bring people together, with support from 5th Ward Alderwoman Gabrielle Torina.
Valdez said organizers hope to continue to grow the event in years to come to promote economic growth and tourism in southwest Rockford.
Want to be a vendor?
The deadline for vendors and volunteers to apply is Tuesday, April 30.
Email southmainmercado@gmail.com for more information or to sign up to volunteer.