An Ariel skills performer from Central Oregon Ariel Arts puts on a show at the first Bend Night Market.

The bustling downtown of Bend is set to become an even more vibrant and inviting hub for locals and tourists alike with the launch of the Bend Night Market.

Starting at the beginning of June and continuing until Sept. 22, this family-friendly event takes place every Friday evening on the lawn of the Deschutes Historical Museum, providing an opportunity for residents and visitors to indulge in a delightful blend of shopping, arts, culture and entertainment.

The inspiration for this new night market came to Cameron Clark, owner and founder of C3 Events, several years ago when he was visiting Spokane, Washington.

“My nephew took me to something called the Spokane Night Market and I was walking up and down the street at night and people were super happy,” Clark said. “That sense of community that comes when the vendors love what they’re doing and the attendees love what the vendors are doing — there’s this synergy that unfolds that then sort of radiates connectivity in the community.”

From 5 p.m. until around 9 p.m., attendees can immerse themselves in a curated selection of vintage clothes, jewelry, produce, fresh flowers and other local artisan goods.

In addition to the shopping delights, there are many food trucks to choose from that cater to almost any culinary cravings. For those seeking a refreshing libation, the market will feature a selection of cocktails and mocktails, as well as many locally brewed beverages.

Entertainment is in abundance at the market, with a range of live music performances providing a lively soundtrack to the evening in addition to rotating circus and art performers.

“I wanted to create a market experience where people were sort of surprised and delighted by some kind of shenanigans that suddenly reared its head out of nowhere, whether that’s a mime or a magician, or a band of gypsies that show up in character and walk the market the whole time,” Clark said.

Last week marked the first night market of many to come and was by all accounts a success. People of all ages filled the parking lot and lawn as they enjoyed the food, art and entertainment.

“I wanted this market to still appeal to Gen Xers and Baby Boomers, but also younger people and to create a tradition that some of the younger generations would be able to start to hang their hat on, and I felt like [last Friday] there was a really nice blend of generations, which was great,” Clark said.

The Bend Night Market represents a new opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant culture. The Deschutes Historical Museum will be open with admission by donation for the first two hours of Night Market each week.

“With new exhibits like ‘Klunkers and Stumpjumpers,’ we want people to know the range of history there is inside our walls to explore, and how much history there is for them to explore throughout the county,” said Kelly Cannon-Miller, the Museum’s executive director.

With its central setting, diverse offerings and lively entertainment, this event is on its way to becoming a new Bend staple.

“I think the really fun thing about this market is since it’s brand new, it’s sort of like a painting canvas,” Clark said. “It is a spectacularly wide-open time for people to bring ideas, feedback, thoughts and positive energy to help us keep painting the canvas so we get it right.”