Copa Cultural Night Market to debut Friday

The City of Maricopa will host its first Night Market event of 2022 on Friday with a new concept.

Copa Cultural Night Market, which will run from 6-10 p.m. at Copper Sky Regional Park, will feature multi-cultural offerings of food and entertainment. Entry is free.

A variety of foods and beverages will be available, including fare prepared by 13 food trucks representing different regions of the world. Native Grill & Wings also will operate a beer garden.

More than 80 vendors and exhibits will be on site, including a new “Culture Row” of diverse organizations, art demonstrations and free projects, Cultural Affairs and Arts Committee mural walls and a “Maricopa Friends of the Arts” Art Gallery.

An impressive lineup of entertainers, influenced by music and dance styles from around the globe, will perform on the main stage, including:

• Buffalo Soldiers’ “Thunder Band”
• Cuacualti Ballet Folklorico
• Paradise Island Hula and Fire Knife Dancers
• Thai Culture Ambassadors Lantern Dance and Instruction
• Brazilian Samba and instruction from SambAZ
• 9 Dragons Chinese Lions
• Indigo Ballroom Latin Dance and Instruction
• Kizomba Phoenix

Many of the groups will be available on a satellite stage for photos and instruction following their performances.

Copper Sky Multigenerational Center will close at noon Friday to prepare for the event.

Discounted pre-paid parking passes are $7 (free for Copper Sky annual members) and available for purchase online or in-person at the Copper Sky Member Services desk until noon Friday. Day-of event parking is $10. (If you purchase your pass online, simply show the parking attendant a screenshot or printout of your receipt upon entry. Copper Sky annual members must collect their pass in-person.)

The parking fee also applies to off-site lots at Maricopa Elementary School, Maricopa Wells Middle School and Maricopa High School, though free shuttle service to the event will be provided from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Additional information about the event is available at www.copanightmarket.com.