The Castro Night Market is underway with a Halloween twist.
In San Francisco’s Castro District, the Halloween spirit is alive and well as costumed characters of all kinds gather for a “night market.”
For years, the Castro was the place to be until violence marred the annual party in 2006.
Some people say they hope the night market will spark a revival.
“My hope is we are going to bring Halloween back to the Castro in a very fun and safe way,” said Justin Nunes with the Copper Bar and Kitchen.
At copper bar and kitchen they say prior night markets in the Castro have been amazing with more foot traffic, business and a nice atmosphere.
“Apart from all the ordering that happens before the big event we are fully staffed tonight all staff hands on deck and we also have door security tonight as well,” Nunes said.
The night market usually happens on the third Friday, but organizers decided to push it a week to line up with Halloween.
It also has a larger footprint along 18th street, with Castro remaining open. The Civic Joy Fund and Castro Merchants Association brought it together.
“This is a way for us to create a lot of joy create a lot of revenue for the neighborhood. Is important too but really it’s for our entire community to do something wonderful and bring Halloween back in a safe and festive way,” said Nate Bourg, the president of the Castro Merchants Association.
“We have been talking to the promoters of the event we are going to staffed appropriately it’s not going to be the Castro that was the big party in the past, but it’s going to be an activation, we’re going to look forward to it we’re staffed well everyone should have a safe and fun time,” said Paul Yep, interim police chief.
Organizers say they have a security team, too.
“It’s going to be great people are going to come down in costume we are really hoping for really great we’re all about safety as well,” said Greg Sroda with CG Events.