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Lacey Night Market reports growing attendance; contractor to host Pride-themed market June 13
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Summary
City staff and the market operator reported rising attendance and vendor participation at the Lacey Night Market and said Sway Night Market will host a Pride-themed night on June 13 as part of this year’s season.
Wesley Nguyen, economic development coordinator for the city, told the Lacey Commission on Equity on April 28 that the Lacey Night Market has grown each year since 2022 and that organizers have scheduled a Pride-themed market for June 13, 2025.
Nguyen said the market takes place at the city-owned park between Lacey and Pacific avenues, between Lebanon and Clarebrook, and that the city contracts with a private operator identified as Sway Night Market to produce events. "In total, we had about almost 50,000 people that come through the night market" in 2024, Nguyen said, adding the 2024 season included 16 markets and averaged about 3,100 attendees per event. He said vendors numbered about 57 unique sellers over the season, averaging roughly 39 vendors per event.
Nguyen described the market’s objectives as twofold: supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, and creating a community gathering place. He said the city entered a two-year contract with the operator so the contractor could build momentum through winter months and recruit vendors earlier. He encouraged nonprofits to apply for discounted vendor spaces and asked commissioners to help amplify event outreach.
Commissioners and staff discussed parking and safety planning as the market’s attendance has increased. Nguyen said events run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., though vendors begin setup near 1 p.m., and that some nights have remained busy late into the evening. He also said he had notified Lacey Police Department routinely about events and would flag the Pride-themed night so patrols can be aware.
The market operator’s social handle is Sway Night Market (Instagram/Facebook); organizers said vendors can apply on those pages. Nguyen identified the operator by name as Jason Juan and said he is veteran- and BIPOC-owned.
The commission did not take formal action on the market during the meeting; members agreed to share vendor and nonprofit contacts with the contractor and to pass the information along through staff.
