Mercado on Fifth sets 2024 vendors
Mercado on Fifth on Friday announced the vendor lineup for its 2024 summer season, which is scheduled to kick off on Memorial Day weekend.
The cultural night market on 5th Avenue in Moline will take place from 5 to 10 p.m., every Friday evening May 24 – Sept. 27, 2024, in its eighth season. Due to the volume of vendor applications as well as event area capacity, this year’s vendor selection process incorporated a decision matrix in which applicants were evaluated on 21 factors, including uniqueness of products offered, booth presentation and business growth indicators, Mercado said in a Friday release.
As a result, this year’s vendors are more diverse and poised to create one of the best cultural experiences in our region, the nonprofit said. Food offerings will include Venezuelan empanadas, Honduran pupusas and traditional Oaxacan tamales, while artisanal products being sold include items made by hand as well as gifts imported from other countries.
Many of the participating businesses are still in a startup phase.
“Mercado on Fifth was created to be an entrepreneurial laboratory and Latino cultural hub. Vendors come to start and test their business ideas on our streets — and do that in a safe environment that echoes the markets many find in their own birth communities,” said Frances Williams, the new executive director of Mercado on Fifth.
The 23 participating food vendors range from Tacos Al Vapor to Dulzura Cakery & Studio. The 24 participating retail vendors include Urbinas Creations, Frio Sauce, Atlas Collective, Ladybug’s Closet, Ballonatix, and Los Dos Grandes Western Wear.
“It’s contagious excitement among our vendors, especially those that are new and launching for the first time,” Williams said. “They have some really exciting business ideas that are going to be so wonderful to watch unfold. We’re hard at work getting them registered and ready to sell, sell, sell this summer!”
Mercado on Fifth is nonprofit organization that serves as a resource and catalyst for minority entrepreneurs. It works with both English and Spanish-speaking minority entrepreneurs to help start, test, launch and grow their businesses, and has helped to start and provide a platform for over 60 new businesses since Mercado’s inception in 2016.
“Our greatest satisfaction is in seeing these businesses start, test and then go off to expand their business to new levels,” Williams said Friday. “We also take pride in attracting members of all parts of our community to enjoy the beautiful tapestry of our shared Hispanic culture.”
The 2024 entertainment lineup will include a broad range of Latin genres, including rock en español, salsa and crowd favorite: banda music. Stay tuned for updates, including the musical lineup, on the Mercado on Fifth website HERE or its social media channels.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
