WACO, TX — Every third Sunday since August 2019, artists, vendors and the community have met monthly to celebrate East Waco's unique voices.
"The city is growing rapidly and you realize that when that's happening, there are a lot of different cultures coming together, different art forms, different business ideas," said Andreas Zaloumis, Founder and Organizer of East Side Market.
The organizers of the East Side Market event say the monthly event gives a platform for locals to shine through their many talents.
"We realized that the opportunity is in our hands to be able to change the culture and invite as much as we want and allow for as much as we want," said Zaloumis.
Beginning with a small group, the event has grown to attract hundreds.
"I think everyone around town is starting to feel like they're welcome now because at first when they heard East Side Market, many people were like oh, its just another downtown thing," said Deoryen Thornton, East Side Market Coordinator. "Now, as people started coming and they're seeing the different cultures and ethnicities that are here...they feel welcome."
The group's organizers are thankful to the community for spreading the word since they only advertised throught Instagram.
"This was able to happen because people supported and shared, you know, they gave life to other people's dreams and that's what we're doing," said Zaloumis. "We're trying to give people an opportunity to chase their dreams and give them the platform to do that."
