A full-scale market, a mass of neon lights and one of the biggest bouncy castles ever seen in B.C. are all set to help the Richmond Night Market bounce back from the pandemic.
2022: Summer Magic Rainbow is the night market’s theme this year, explained its owner Raymond Cheung. Like a rainbow that follows a storm, brighter days are ahead for the market, given the easing of COVID restrictions, he added.
But while Cheung is looking forward, he’s also looking back.
The neon lights are meant to take visitors back in time to Hong Kong circa 1950s when the use of neon exploded in the city and became an iconic representation of Hong Kong’s nightlife.
Visitors can sample delicious Asian street food while enjoying the authentic ambiance of a large Asian city at night, Cheung told the Richmond News.
“Neon lights have been widely used as an advertising method in Hong Kong. Those signs became even more popular in the latter half of the 20th century with the city’s economization. (In Richmond), every corner of the night market will be basking in neon lights,” said Cheung.
Also speaking of bouncing back, this year, visitors will be greeted with a 30 feet tall and 50 feet wide inflatable bouncy castle -- one of the biggest ever seen in B.C., said Cheung.
“It’s custom-made and we hope to ensure that adults as well as children can have fun in it.”
Meanwhile, the market itself will be returning to full capacity, with almost 115 vendors and various food trucks joining the event. Everything from seafood combos to Asian-inspired barbecue chicken will be on offer.
The night market will officially kick off on Apr. 29 and last until Oct. 10.
