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Night market draws thousands to Richmond

Rainbow cheese toast, volcano tuna melt, mac&cheese pie, churros, chicken steak, Japanese crackers — the Richmond Night Market is far from just an Asian feast, although there is much of that, too.

Rainbow cheese toast, volcano tuna melt, mac&cheese pie, churros, chicken steak, Japanese crackers — the Richmond Night Market is far from just an Asian feast, although there is much of that, too.

The market re-opened last week just west of River Rock Casino with the sounds and smells of a carnival. It will run until Oct. 14, attracting upwards of 10,000 people every night.

While Richmond has had other night markets, this one has been running since 2000, with a four-year hiatus from 2008 to 2012.

It has been at No. 3 Road and Bridgeport since 2012 within a stone’s throw of the Bridgeport Canada Line Station.

There are about 110 food vendors with dishes from every corner of the globe as well as more than 100 retail stands. The market also includes midway rides and an entertainment stage.

Lineups were long on Saturday evening to get into the Richmond Night Market when a group of bloggers were visiting as part of a Richmond staycation.

Tara Teng, a life and style blogger from Langley, was there with her two daughters, Chayton, four, and Skyana, two.

“We loved the night market,” she said in an email. “So many fun things for the kids to look at.”

Teng added they loved “all the great food,” from the cheesecake mochi to rainbow grilled cheese and pho fries.

While the market is modelled after Asian night markets, attendees  represent a wide variety of cultures.

The market is a tourist destination but it also attracts a lot of locals, explained Raymond Cheung, the entrepreneur behind the venture. During the opening week, a Washington license plate was spotted, he added.

The entrance fee is $4.75 per person, but children under eight and seniors 60 years and older are free. An express pass is $28 for six entries. 

The market runs from 7 p.m. to midnight except Sundays and holidays when it closes at 11 p.m.

To learn about the market, go to www.richmondnightmarket.com.