The Asian American Association (AAA) hosted their annual Night Market on Friday, May 23. The event featured student performances and a range of vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry and crocheted plushies to food and clothes. This year, Night Market was full of students roaming around from stall to stall and picnicking on the green during performances.
This year, the Night Market had more performances than in the past, AAA president Gisele Fan said. Performances included dances from K-pop Dance Team (KDT), Pilipinx United Student Organization (PUSO), and the Misfits and band performances from Headspace, Kaluluwa, The Sunflowers, and Moon Dough.
“I believe they (the performances) have been here since the first night market,” Fan said. “It’s just this is the first year we’ve seen so many. Usually, we try to fill up the space of karaoke, but we’ve had less time to karaoke now because of all these amazing bands.”
Fan is happy with the turnout for the Night Market, she said. She was worried because typically long events such as the Night Market tend to become less busy as the event goes on, like it did last year, Fan said. This year is also the first year AAA is not directly working with ASB to host the Night Market, she added.
“But you see this huge crowd here, and they’re really supportive,” Fan said. “So I think it’s working out for the better.”
Fan is hoping to reach out to more vendors and have vendors set up their booths earlier for next year’s market, she said. She is trying to learn as much as possible to pass down her knowledge for the next Night Market, Fan said.
“I love it (Night Market),” Fan said. “I’ve been here since my freshman year. I became an officer, and they’re like, hey, Night Market. To be honest, I didn’t do much, but I learned a lot. Sophomore year I also helped plan, and this year I’m in charge of it, so I’m glad it turned out okay.”
Sophomore Rohan Sunil enjoyed Night Market, he said. This is the first Night Market Sunil has been to, he added. He came to check out the market because he was intrigued by the vendors, he said.
“I was honestly expecting what I see: a lot of vendors selling just food and things,” Sunil said. “Actually, it’s really cool. There’s also performances happening; that’s nice.”
Sunil is planning to come back to next year’s Night Market, he said. He is looking forward to buying more food from the vendors at the future Night Market, he added.
“My favorite booth (was) the one selling the Dubai chocolate,” Sunil said. “I loved the event. It’s really fun.”
Junior Owen Chen sold pork buns for the Chinese Club, he said. He will likely be back next year as a vendor for Chinese Club again, he said. He liked visiting other vendors’ booths, he added.
“It was pretty much what I expected, pretty much the same as last year – a lot of food sellers, jewelry sellers and clothes, mainly,” Chen said.
Sophomore Antra Gupta was looking forward to buying food as well as hanging out with and supporting her friends at the Night Market, she said. Overall, Gupta liked the vendors and enjoyed her time at Night Market, Gupta said.
“I think there’s a lot more people this year and a lot more people that I don’t know,” Gupta said.
Fan was happy with the way Night Market turned out and is thankful to everyone who worked to host the event, she said.
“Thank you guys so much for your support,” Fan said. “Even though whatever problems you have today we’re so sorry, but we’re very grateful for your presence and everyone here.”