Grand Opening for Menifee's first night-time summer market

By Tommie Brown, Staff Writer

With the summer season knocking on our front doors, you might find yourselves itching to get out of air conditioned buildings in dire need of some fresh air, while still beating the heat. If that’s the case, the new Wickerd Farm “Under the Oaks” artisan night market could be the place for you.

Started by longtime Menifee resident Jack Wickerd and event extraordinaire Paul Gross, the market takes place every Friday evening at the well-known Wickerd Farm location under the string lights and old Oak trees at 26852 Scott Road.

If you head over to Wickerd Farm Friday night between 5-9 p.m., you’ll find yourselves in the midst of two live bands featuring R&B soul music and rock, a huge drum circle featuring Sunshine drumming, pony rides, face painting, tacos, churros, kettle corn, BBQ, giveaways, henna tattoos, and most importantly, 50 unique vendors ranging anywhere from homemade beef jerky to haircuts to woodwork, to candles, soap, and baked goods. There also are vendors supplying art activities for the kids and Wickerd Farm's own activities, such as the tire swings and hay castle.

“This idea came because it’s something that has never really been done before,” said Gross, “yet it’s something the town is in need of. Menifee is a very artistic community and there hasn’t ever really been this open call for the artists and community to sort of commune all at once.”


This Friday marks the official city ribbon cutting for the opening of the market. The Chamber of Commerce will facilitate the event, including Mayor Bill Zimmerman in attendance.

The market has actually been in near full swing for a few weeks now. Gathering over 40 art vendors, five food vendors, and consistent weekly live bands, it's clear that local artists jumped at the chance to have a weekly booth to display their works.

“My phone never stops ringing,” laughs Gross. “I thought maybe we would gather 20 or so vendors over time, but before I even started advertising this, my cell was ringing off the hook. We are over 40 now and I’m still turning people away.”

In the few weeks previous to the Grand Opening, some vendors such as Madam Confection, delictable desserts maker, have even had to pack up shop early after selling out. And vendors like Ozzy Alcin with her light-up balloons of wonder were selling products before they ever stepped out of their vehicles.

Between Wickerd’s ideal location, Gross’ seasoned experience with coordinating events, and their love for the community, the summer market felt like something the two men had to at least give a try.

While Wickerd is known for his annual pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms, as well as other events on the property seen in previous years, Gross has had a large hand in the manifestation of the Wickerd town favorites. 

However, the Farm isn’t even remotely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Gross’ event experience.

The extent of his career is far too extensive to dive into, but to give a quick look, Gross laid the groundwork for the first-ever Coachella, Stage Coach, Balloon and Wine Festival in Temecula, U.S Presidential events, and has coordinated with bands as famous as The Red Hot Chili Peppers. 


“This market wasn’t something that we needed to do,” Gross explains. “There isn’t much profit for us, but what really drew me to this was the Farm. This area is such a special place that doesn’t really exist anymore in Southern California. Where kids can just run and play under trees in open spaces. Where people can listen to live bands in this naturally rural environment. It’s pretty magical.”

With most of Menifee going up under construction or bought out for future building plans, the rural farmstead land the community once sat on is progressively vanishing

“This land around here isn’t going to be here five, 10 years from now,” says Gross. “It’s going to be housing tracts and department stores in a blink of an eye. We will only have parks to act as nature, so we just wanted to celebrate this town’s roots while we still can. We can't stop the construction, but we can enjoy what we still have, while we have it. If there’s any shot at preserving Menifee, it’s by things like this market.”

    Pictured: PTSD Bottles by Ray Lopez

But not only is the ambiance ideal, the company kept is what keeps visitors going back. Each vendor shares a personality and artistry all their own, making a warm melting pot of styles and stories. You’ll run into people you know, as well as meet new people you otherwise would never have crossed paths with.

The vendors themselves enjoy the mix and mingle of the night. Leaving one person to man their tents, vendors wander around the grounds, picking up trinkets from one another, sharing their own creations, and making a family within their next two-month home.

 
Pictured: Spirits of Widsom                                  Pictured: Souls2SoulsBoutique

“The best part about this are the people [vendors],” beams Gross. “These are people with full-time jobs who are still creating and still showing up here. These are the people who aren’t giving up on their dreams.”

While this week marks the ribbon cutting for the market, this event will be taking place every Friday all summer long, drawing to an end in September. With vendors creating new inventory weekly, transitioning vendors and bands each week, as well as the potential growth of doubling the food vendors, the market is looking to be one of Menifee’s main summer events this season.

 
Pictured: Los Molcajetes Restaurant                   Pictured:Gypsy Vibes

“We just wanted to make something that felt very much alive, and human,” tells Gross. “Art is living and moving, the people are so warm and inviting, the music, that lights – it’s all these moving pieces. And we wanted to stick all of that, under these living oaks, and do something this community hasn’t seen yet, but really should.”

The ribbon cutting for the market takes place Friday  at 4:30 p.m., right before the market’s opening at 5 p.m. he markets run until 9 p.m. weekly, until the end of summer.

 

              Pictured: Libreria Lupita                           Pictured: Dream Crafterz

  

              Pictured: Savory Jerky       The Balm Tree (Wooden flag from neighboring vendor)