H&8th Night Market returns for its fourth full season from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, March 27 between N.W. 6th and N.W. 10th streets along Hudson Avenue in Oklahoma City’s Midtown district.
Presented by Fowler Toyota of Norman, H&8th Night Market is a monthly, family- and pet-friendly street festival built around a lineup of the city’s top gourmet food trucks and live music on the last Friday of each month. There is no cost to attend.
H&8th Night Market is a volunteer-driven not-for-profit event founded by Laura Massenat, owner of Elemental Coffee Roasters, Chef Jonathon Stranger, co-owner of neighborhood restaurants Ludivine and The R&J Supper Club, and J.D. Merryweather, owner of Coop Ale Works, as a fun way to bring the neighborhood together and introduce Oklahoma City residents to new development in the Midtown district.
The seasonal event has become the largest monthly food truck festival in the U.S. based on attendance, drawing between 20,000 and 40,000 people each month during the 2014 season. The first H&8th was held August 26, 2011, included three food trucks and attracted approximately 200 people. The name H&8th refers to the event’s epicenter and place of origin: at the corner of Hudson Avenue and N.W. 8th Street.
“H&8th has been a wonderful way for people to experience and connect with one of Oklahoma City’s most vibrant neighborhoods, which continues to grow and evolve,” Massenat said. “Our volunteer team has worked hard in the off-season to fine tune the event, to keep it fresh and new for those who have been with us since the beginning, and to increase walkability and interaction with the entire district. We’d also like to encourage people to ride their bike to the event and take advantage of the free bicycle valet service hosted by DNA Racing.”
Check-in for the bicycle valet is located behind Elemental Coffee Roasters at 815 N. Hudson Ave.
Thirty food trucks from across the state have been invited to the March event: 2 Brothers Bistro, Adolini’s Pizzeria, Big Truck Tacos, Cafe Bella on Wheels, Chick N Wangs, Crepe Brewers, El Reno Original Fried Onion Burgers, Frank’s Wurst, Green & Grilled, The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen, Hawk’s Hotdogs, Huey’s Shave Ice, Kaiteki Ramen, La Gumbo Ya Ya, Lalo’s I Love My Taco Chop & Grill, The Loaded Bowl, Masa, Mexiasian Fusion, Mutts Hot Dogs, Off The Hook Seafood & More, Pagoda Pizza, Phill Me Up Cheesesteaks, PurdyQ, Roxy’s Ice Cream Social, Smokin’ Okies, Tacos El Patron, Taste of Soul Chicken and Waffle, Taste of Soul Eggroll, The Tin Can, and Wild Al’s.
Neighborhood restaurant Ludivine will offer a 3-course tasting for $40 per person. Open seating, $40 per person, call 405-778-6800 for reservations. Elemental Coffee Roasters will serve coffee, tea, “epic” pastries and desserts, and specialty cold drinks.
Bleu Garten‘s scheduled food trucks for the night include Burrito Bandido, Flying Pig BBQ, Frank’s Wurst, Masa, Saucee Sicilian, and Snow S’More.
H&8th Night Market will host its first Oklahoma Craft Beer Garden featuring selections by local breweries including Anthem Brewing Company and Black Mesa Brewing Company on the hill at N.W. 9th St. and Hudson Avenue.
COOP Ale Works will continue to offer its lineup of craft beers at the festival.
Beau Jennings & The Tigers, a Rock n’ Roll Americana band from Norman, will headline the 2015 season opener of H&8th Night Market on Friday, March 27 between N.W. 6th and N.W. 10th streets along Hudson Avenue in Oklahoma City’s thriving Midtown district.
Live music begins on the main stage at 7 p.m. with Massey, a folk rock band from Oklahoma City, followed by Porch Mice, an alt-country band from Oklahoma City at 8 p.m. Synth-pop duo Quil takes the stage at 9 p.m. and Beau Jennings & The Tigers will close the show at 10 p.m.
Local comedian Cameron Buchholtz from OKC Comedy will emcee the main stage, introducing the bands and highlighting The Nature Conservancy, located near the stage at 408 NW 7th St., where attendees can register to win tickets to see upcoming performances by stand-up comics Joey Diaz (May 30) and Janeane Garofalo (July 30) at the ACM@UCO Performance Lab.
There will also be four busking zones for live acoustic performances in various locations.
Pro soccer team OKC Energy FC will energize the green space at the southwest corner of N.W. 9th Street and Hudson Avenue from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with an inflatable goal and a meet-and-greet with Energy FC players. Attendees will be able to purchase low-point beer by Anthem Brewing Company and general admission tickets to the home opener on April 18 at the newly renovated Taft Stadium for $10.
The H&8th Night Market kick-off will also coincide with the debut of Industry Flea, an open-air artisan market that will be open the final Friday and Saturday each month through Sept. at 399 N.W. 10th Street (N.W. 10th and Hudson next to food truck court Bleu Garten).
Vendors include vintage items, fresh flowers, clothing, handmade goods and products from local shops. Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
The R&J Lounge and Supper Club, located at 320 N.W. 10th Street (in the alley at 10th and Hudson), will host a Tiki Party until 2 a.m. on the patio with a live DJ and a special entree with smoked pork shoulder, grilled pineapple and coconut custard-filled Malasadas.
There will be a live DJ across the street from Industry Flea at The R&J Lounge and Supper Club, located in the alley at 320 N.W. 10th Street.
The Nature Conservancy, PepsiCo and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful are teaming-up to provide recycling at H&8th. Green recycle bins will be available. The Nature Conservancy will receive financial support for its mission on a per-pound basis.
H&8th Night Market is a volunteer-driven not-for-profit event that relies on the generosity of its sponsors, and private donations, to stay alive and free to the public. Presenting sponsors are Fowler Toyota of Norman and Oklahoma City University. Other sponsors include Prodigal, Anthem Brewing Company, COOP Ale Works, Industry Flea, CooperHouse, Ludivine, Elemental Coffee Roasters, The Nature Conservancy, Blue Knight Energy Partners and DNA Racing.
For more information about H&8th Night Market visit h8thokc.com. Updates will be posted on Facebook and Twitter (#OKCNightMarket).
