The Sunset District is gearing up for a new community-driven night market, Sunset After Dark, slated to grace Irving Street with its presence on September 26. This smaller incarnation comes as a phoenix rising from the ashes of the previously cancelled Sunset Night Market, which was anticipated not to return until 2026 following the event organizer Sunset Night Market Collaborative's announcement halting this year's happenings. "We saw a gap that needs to be filled, and we thought, 'What could this event look like if it was ran by merchants on the corridor?'" Rob Aiavao, a board member of Dear Community, mentioned the group's commitment to revitalizing the area with this event in an interview with ABC7 News.
As the call for vendor applications unfolds, Sunset After Dark is promising an inclusive celebration that will encompass the culinary, cultural fabric, and the spirit of the local businesses of the tight-knit neighborhood - as the much larger former market, which at its peak, spanned 10 extensive blocks and drew myriads of visitors, has left behind rather large shoes to fill, there's an air of anticipation to see how this event will carry on the tradition. Daniel Ramirez, owner of Smokin D's on Irving Street, shared with ABC7 News the motivation behind this new venture, "We were disappointed to hear the news, so we took that as an opportunity to say 'Hey, why don't we come up with a community-driven event?'" signaling a strong desire to maintain the lively essence of the district's nightlife.
Local advocacy group Dear Community and Sunset's own Smokin D's BBQ are at the helm, orchestrating Sunset After Dark with an emphasis on community participation. As per the San Francisco Chronicle, Aiavao detailed how the event was "born out of a desire to bring neighbors together and support the local economy," echoing a sentiment that underscores a harmonious relationship between the event and Sunset's residents, merchants, and even school partners. The objective seems to be rooting the event deeply in the neighborhood's unique voice and reinvigorating the local entrepreneurial spirit.
