Summer Street Market June 27

The Summer Street Market season in New Rockford is getting underway on June 27 at Centennial Park, and there's some exciting new entertainment coming to town.

Every year summer street markets give residents an opportunity to get outside and check out all kinds of great deals from local vendors and downtown businesses.

There are also activities for kids and musical entertainment to enjoy throughout the afternoon and evening.

This year, 2023 NR-S graduate Madi Myhre has taken on much of the work to bring together this summer's street markets.

In addition to being on the Street Market Committee – which works diligently to make the street markets possible – Myhre is also the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation's new summer intern.

For the Summer Street Market on June 27, sponsored by Flair Boutique and Myhre Seed, the committee booked some professional performers.

Byron Nelson, a country singer and a native of Oberon, N.D., as well as musical group Country Strings, will be performing at the upcoming street market.

Nelson is a self-taught guitar player and singer with a passion for the "Golden Era" of country music and the promotion of all things "rural North Dakota." He regularly performs at senior centers, care facilities and area Bluegrass events.

Meanwhile, Country Strings members Orlin Larson, Dave Mettler and Jean Hauser have shared their music at festivals, threshing shows, special events and retirement homes.

Orlin is a member of the North and South Dakota Musicians Hall of Fame. His fiddle along with Dave on guitar and Jean on bass will entertain you with classic country, bluegrass and gospel music.

While enjoying the great music, those in attendance will be able to shop at any number of local vendors at the park.

Vendors that have already signed up to attend include, In the Doghouse Designs, Burnt Brim Boutique, Wildflour Cupcakery, New Rockford Ambulance, Little Cactus Company, Rockford Theatre and Momma Beach's, just to name a few.

Of course, there will also be several food vendors at the market, including Doodling Dixie's out of Jamestown, which specializes in street foods and decadent sweets. Chuy Orozco and Elvis Gonzales will also be cooking authentic Mexican food and operating a rhubarb baking contest.

Vendor space is still available for the street market. If any local businesses want to sign up, give Myhre a call at (701) 600-9011. The fee to sign up is $20.

Meanwhile, the kids can enjoy face painting, rock painting, the bouncy house and even a petting zoo.

Several downtown businesses will also be open throughout the street market with great deals and special offers. Bank Forward, for example, will have a drawing for a single swim pass to the pool, good for the entire summer.

Be sure to take time on Thursday, June 27 to go to Centennial Park and check out all the great deals and fun activities at this year's first Summer Street Market, which will be open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Myhre and the entire Street Market Committee, which also consists of Josh Homiston, Mya Cudworth, Kayahna Hopfauf, Andrew Presnell, Emma Myhre, Macey Wobbema and Amanda Hegland, have put a ton of work into this event, and they're also putting plans in place for the rest of this summer's street markets.

Myhre started with the NRABC in mid-May and will continue with the organization until August, when she'll return to her studies at North Dakota State University as she works to become a nurse.

She's spent much of her time at the NRABC putting together the street markets, but she said she's also enjoyed working on the business spotlights for their social media pages.

"Coming here and learning more people skills and communicating with a big group I think is really going to help me in the long run," said Myhre.

Hegland added that Myhre has been a great help already, and that relying on her has allowed the NRABC office to run much more efficiently.

"She's just really good at what she does," said Hegland.