DAGUPAN’S ‘Tinday Labi’ (Night Market) is off to a fine start, thrilling both marketgoers and plain promenaders with its variety of goods when it reeled off last Friday.

Dubbed by the city government as ‘F8 Market Fair’ (for Fruits, Fishes, Flowers, Furnishings, Flavors and Fun), it occupies a portion of A.B. Fernandez Avenue, the city’s principal street.

The city passed a resolution for the temporary closure of the road from corner Galvan to corner Burgos street from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays to give way to the unique fair.

The ‘F8s Market Fair’ is patterned after the booming street night markets of Hongkong and Bangkok, Thailand which contributed greatly to their respective local economies and enlivened their tourism.

The market fair is sponsored by the Dagupan Jaycees Inc. (DJCI) headed by Ryan Ravanzo, also city information officer.

DJCI shoulders all the expenses for the project, including electricity and other amenities, but will keep 80 percent of the gross income with 20 percent accruing to the fiesta executive committee.

City Fiesta hermano mayor Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo said this year’s night market will treat residents, balikbayan guests and other visitors to the true Dagupan shopping experience for quality products at bargain prices.

With the F8 night market, the site will be transformed into a dining, shopping and entertainment hub, right after the public market, malls and other business establishments shall have called it a day, Ravanzo explained.

To complete the fun atmosphere, local bands as well as those from Manila will entertain buyers and shoppers.