H&8th Night Market
★★★★☆ 4.1 (30) • $$
"H&8th, occurring the last Friday of every month April to October (I think), on Hudson Street (originally *at* NW 8th St, now stretching from NW 6th to NW 10th, plus along 7th between Hudson and Walker) is a 5 star street festival/market. Whatever room for improvement -within the control of the organizers- has been recognized and made as the market continues to evolve.Complainers consider: the fault may lie within you. Yes, it can be blasted hot (this is Oklahoma) and the lines can be long (people come to the festival! Food trucks are not fast food restaurants!) and sounds can be loud (trucks mostly require generators) and food can be expensive-ish (there's that bizarre living wage idea, again. SMH). Barring these things, the organization of the market, you must admit, is pretty fine.First, the trucks. They're vetted. Did you know that? Some of my favorites (Kaiteki, Loaded Bowl, the Halls, Huey's, Roxy's, etc., and God rest their souls, Moto Chef and Heo's) hang out month after month. This is no accident; each truck must 1) exist (a novel idea, but I've heard of people requesting a spot at H & 8th before the truck and biz are running. Still SMH) and 2) offer something unique. As in, fried Oreos and corn dogs (unless they're capital 'S' Special- hand battered, with a homemade sauce) likely need not apply. Organizers want variety and quality. Come to think of it, so do I. Second, the booths. Not the food, but the charitable groups, such as the intrepid "BeThe Match" tent. Did you know Swab Squad (look out for the gigantic q-tips on the blue tent outside Elemental Coffee) can get you on the National Bone Marrow Registry in minutes (less than the time it takes to decide which truck you want!). See, go find dinner and potentially save a life! Ha! Open your eyes and you'll see plenty of other booths worth stopping at. (I love the poets, who will create and type up a poem for you, if only given an idea) (or the art booths, where my kids can paint constellations on a black canvas) (or Urban Agrarian, where I can buy farm fresh produce).Third, the music, which kind of is the crowd, too, if you think about it. As far as I can tell, there is official music (bands on stage) and unofficial music (drummers, guitar players, jazz blasting out food truck speakers). It's loud. Has to be, 'cause the generators (and we need those, mostly) are loud, too. However much I want to think the spirit of H&8th is in the trucks, the energy is sustained by the music. It's why you're there, introverts and extroverts alike: to eat, people watch /mingle and ahem, party. On the block.Bring a blanket if you want to chill on the green east of Hudson. Arrive early (6:30) if you want to beat the crowds in line. Take water and cash (some trucks accept credit, but it slows down the lines). Expect it to be crowded, in the best way, with color and dogs and children, a palpable sense of pride in OKC and where she's going. Enjoy!"
"We had an amazing time!! The kiddos loved every ride we went on. The slushy drink was delicious! Train rides along with hayride was a lot of fun you get to see more of what attractions they have. They have lots of photograph areas that are absolutely adorable!! The corn maze was short and fun! Definitely bring your own water bottles bc you will get so thirsty with having so much fun!! The only issue we had was grouchy employees at the new ride attraction. You definitely have to be a kid loving person to work in a place like this. Definitely will be back for the 3rd time!"
"This is the 19th year of the film festival. My friend won tickets and invited me. Wow! The people here are friendly and it was totally for a good cause. The band was good. People were dancing all night. The food could have been better (for sure). They had meatballs, pulled chicken sliders, cauliflower, cucumbers, carrots, hummus, spicy pimento cheese and deviled eggs. Next year they really need to do better for $100 a ticket.They had wine, beer and a specialty drink. I did have a good time."
