Mercado Night Market returns to downtown Merced with classic cars, food and entertainment

The Mercado Night Market returns to downtown Merced on Thursday night with live music, dance performances, food and a classic car show.

Thursday’s event is the first of a series of four Mercado Night Market events scheduled in Merced. With Cinco De Mayo approaching, Thursday’s theme is Noche de Fiesta (Fiesta Night).

The other three Mercado Night Market events are scheduled for July 11, Sept. 5 and Nov. 7. Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce president Annissa Fragoso says another event may be held in December if the weather permits.

Fragoso says the Mercado Night Market was established in 2021 during the pandemic to promote small businesses, artists and vendors.

“In the beginning we had maybe 50 vendors,” Fragoso said. “We’ve had up to 120 vendors at some of our events. This one we’re at 91 vendors. We started it to for people to gather together, have a good time and listen to music and interact with each other in a safe place. When we see people enjoying it, it makes all the hard work we do behind the scenes worth while.”

The event is held around Bob Hart Square, in the heart of downtown Merced. It’s free for everybody.

Thursday’s event will feature music from a mariachi band, dance performances from Merced Clave Dance Studio, Singers Dance Studio and ballet and folklórico dance performance from Tenaya Middle School students.

There will be carnival-like attractions for kids and a wide variety of food, including Mexican food, hamburgers, hot dogs, Asian food and a variety of sweets.

People will also be able to enjoy plenty of classic cars from local car clubs.

“People can eat food from the vendors or they can eat at the brick-and-mortar restaurants along Main Street,” Fragoso said.

Fragoso said the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been able to put the event on the past four years with the help of the City of Merced, the Merced Fire Department, Merced Police Department and Riggs Ambulance.

The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.