It's something many shoppers and vendors in the Capital have long been calling for.
Now, a weekly night market in Ottawa's Byward Market has officially started for the outdoor vending season.
Every Thursday evening during the summer months, dozens of vendors and businesses in the Byward Market will stay open until 8 p.m. or later.
"Our winters are really long, and we want to celebrate all that is Ottawa," said Katherine Solomon with the ByWard Market BIA. "We firmly believe the ByWard Market is the heart of Ottawa."
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and local city councillor Mathieu Fleury were among those attending an outdoor event in the ByWard Market launching the start of the Thursday night market for the season.
The weekly night market will also feature a "Demo Corner," where chefs will demonstrate and explain how to prepare dishes using local items including produce, dairy, meat and fish.
"(People) can grab stuff on their way home... or if they’re going away on the weekend, they can grab something on their way out of town," said Jantine Van Kregten with Ottawa Tourism.
The night market will include a "Savour Ottawa" farm stand - an initiative promoting local producers and their products.
Parking in the area is free after 5:30 p.m., and a 15-minute parking courtesy will be in place around the Market building.
