Lovers and Friends Lunar Market is ready to deliver a heartwarming dose of nostalgia and community spirit on Valentine’s Day.
Returning for its third year, the market will transform The Barn in Meriam Park into a vibrant hub of local artistry, camaraderie and love.
Organizer Lucia Mercado said the event is a platform for local artistry and a celebration of love of all forms, moving beyond purely romance.
“We hold so much love for our friends, you hold so much love for the people that support you day to day, whether it's a romantic or platonic relationship.”- Lucia Mercado, organizer
“Romantic partners are amazing, and I love love, but also platonic friendships and platonic love have been such a beautiful part of Valentine’s Day for me,” Mercado said.
The purpose of the market’s name is to encapsulate the feeling and attitude she wants to bring to the market’s aura, and the equal importance of love of all kinds. For Mercado, this philosophy was an easy decision.
“We hold so much love for our friends, you hold so much love for the people that support you day to day, whether it's a romantic or platonic relationship,” Mercado said.
For Mercado, celebrating Valentine’s Day dates back to grade school when you gathered with classmates for the distribution of Valentine’s Day cards, an art that gets lost with time.
“I feel like it’s one of those analog practices that a lot of us probably miss, especially if you’re crafty, and you tend to put a lot of, like, heart and love into things that you gift out to people,” Mercado said.
The market’s reputation rests on its curated selection of local vendors, focusing heavily on handmade, artisanal goods.
Attendees can expect handmade ceramics, jewelry, original artwork and secondhand and vintage clothing.
“We want to see local goods that are handmade by people who actually live in the area,” Mercado said.
There will also be a Polaroid photo booth, hand-drawn portraits and fresh flower bouquets.
Mercado's ultimate hope is that the market offers attendees a powerful sense of kinship, belonging and love..
“A lot of us are going through a tough time with just everything that's going on in the world, it can feel like you're alone,” Mercado said “But when you come to events like this, you realize there's a lot of people out there that are also looking for connection, looking for friendship.”
Lunar Market will take place from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 14 at the Barn in Meriam Park, rain or shine.
