A night market is quietly emerging in Alberta, offering food, leisure and sharing joy

A night market is quietly emerging in Alberta, offering food, leisure and sharing joy (Reported by Lijun Chen) In the golden autumn, the United States Universal Cultural Organization (Universal) Cul…

Night markets are quietly emerging in Alberta, providing food, leisure and sharing fun (reported by Chen Lijun) In the golden autumn season, the "Night Market" organized by the Universal Cultural Organization in the United States from November 17 to 19, 2017, came to a successful conclusion in Peoria, Arizona. This is another grand event contributed by the organization after the successful local Chinese Lantern Festival in 2014 and 2015. In just three days, it attracted thousands of tourists, where delicacies from all over the world gathered and diverse cultures collided. There are more than 40 stalls and shops around the venue. As night falls, the brightly lit night market becomes lively among the bustling pedestrians. It is always busy from 5 pm to 11 pm, and the variety of delicious food will make you dizzy and salivate. Not only can you experience the traditional flavors of the Old West and unique Aboriginal cuisine, but of course there are also classic cuisines full of exotic flavors. Such as China, Italy, Mexico, France, Japan, Thailand, India, etc. There are fried spring rolls, Yangzhou fried rice, sweet and sour pork loin, crispy fried shrimp, burgers, sandwiches, grilled pork chops, fried sausages, chicken rolls, BBQ, pasta, Thai rice, French grilled steak, curry rice, sushi, tempura, skewers, various cakes and breads, etc. The prices are reasonable, and some snacks are not even named, but they feel delicious. There were long queues in front of many stalls. In front of the stalls was a food display, and behind them was a performance venue by famous chefs. Some tourists stopped to watch. Each family tries its best to show off its specialties and signature dishes, shouting and sparing no effort to introduce them to tourists. A variety of alcohol, beverages and desserts are also popular. The organizer specially produced a low-alcohol flavored wine "Star Light" for the night market. It has a refreshing taste and is served in a glass vessel shaped like a light bulb. It is colorful, attractive and popular among drinkers. People are standing or sitting, enjoying delicious food and chatting; they can also enjoy multicultural displays and entertainment programs from different countries and ethnic groups. The specially built large stage staged wonderful performances, including hot dance songs, ethnic melodies, instrumental music performances, etc. The ethnic and modern fusion showed the trend of the times. The sound of music, singing and dancing came and went, and bursts of applause and cheers came from time to time. Some stalls displayed fun games, children's playgrounds, health and wellness, handmade and craft accessories, etc., which also attracted many people's attention. Naturally, Chinese elements are indispensable for the event. Elderly people from the Phoenix Senior Citizens Association taught the locals how to play mahjong with great interest, and enthusiastically gave Chinese names to visitors who were interested in Chinese characters. Many citizens and couples wrote their best wishes under the wishing tree. The night market is a gathering place for various snacks. Looking for delicious food at the night market is not only to taste various flavors, but also to relax and have fun in your spare time. It not only satisfies people's passion and desire for food, but also conveys the cultural charm behind the food. Undoubtedly, it plays an important role in food innovation, emotional exchange, cultural sharing, friendship and harmony, etc., and continuously promotes the healthy and sustainable development of food culture. The American Global Cultural Institute is a non-profit organization established in 2013 to promote Chinese culture, promote the development of multiculturalism, and enrich people's lives. According to the organizer, this event took more than a year to plan. After market inspection, careful planning and careful preparation, it achieved gratifying results. First of all, thank you to the volunteers for their hard work, part of the income will be used to support social welfare and charity; also thank you to the merchants who participated in the night market, for them this is also a good opportunity to showcase and generate income. We have also accumulated some experience by holding such events. We hope to be more specific in advertising, venue selection, project optimization and food diversity in the future, attract more high-end merchants to participate, hold it in more cities, and form a night market model of a certain scale that integrates food, entertainment, shopping and culture. (Photography by Chen Lijun, some photos provided by the organizer)