The fog and wind rolled in at 6 p.m. on Friday, but so did the crowds at the Norton Street Parking Lot as they gathered for the Excelsior’s inaugural “From the E” night market.
Families arrived bundled up, with parents donning parkas and children in colorful layers, fairy princess costumes, and leggings. Handheld paper bags filled with treats made their way through the crowd as the excitement grew, especially among the young audiences eagerly awaiting the evening’s Lucha Libre wrestling matches.
“I see so many smiles,” remarked Avei St. Pierre, secretary of the Excelsior Action Group, the organization behind the event. “It’s the kids who really want to come. This [event] really is just for the community and helping to promote the local businesses.”
The night’s highlight was the thrilling performances by roughly ten Lucha Libre fighters, who were either warming up in their tents or jumping around in their vibrant costumes to fend off the evening chill. Although the matches were purely for entertainment, the atmosphere was electric as spectators crowded around the wrestling ring, cheering commands like “sit on him!” amidst a few playful exclamations from both kids and adults.
Most attendees were enthusiastic families from the local neighborhood, many of whom opted to walk to the event. “We’re happy it’s here,” expressed Excelsior resident Metzi Calleros. “The only thing is I wish it were bigger.”
Her sister, Lizbett Calleros, echoed her sentiment: “Any cultural and family activities during the summer are appreciated. It feels like old San Francisco.”
The night markets have gained momentum in recent years thanks to funding from the Civic Joy Fund, a non-profit aimed at creating joyful street events across various San Francisco neighborhoods. Initially, the successful Sunset event took a pause, while other markets, including the Castro and Noe Valley, have developed their own unique vibes, catering to a diverse array of crowds.
“This has been a long time coming,” St. Pierre stated, crediting the successful execution of the night market to the new leadership of Excelsior Action Group head Ben Bleinman. For the moment, attendees were simply thrilled to enjoy the festivities.
Between wrestling matches, the ropes of the Lucha Libre ring transformed into a bounce house for children, while the space around it provided an outlet for younger attendees to run around, allowing parents a moment of respite.
As the wrestlers took a breather, the lively sounds of Bateria Batuki filled the air, filling the atmosphere with salsa, cumbia, and merengue, getting both the young and old dancing.
The event successfully met its promise of activating the space and uplifting local businesses, ensuring that all vendors present were either from the Excelsior community or local home-based enterprises. Local artisan booths were set up along Harrington Street, featuring a variety of offerings from a Balboa High School English teacher’s prints to a psychic offering tarot readings.
Food options included Excelsior Coffee and Deli Man serving up warm beverages and barbecued chicken, along with a lemonade stand, a home bakery, and The Korner Store, a popular Korean restaurant on Mission Street.
While the majority of attendees hailed from Excelsior, many visitors journeyed from other parts of the city and Bay Area, intrigued by the wrestling spectacle. “We heard there was gonna be a fight, a spectacle,” explained 20-year-old Jason Johnston, who attended with friends from as near as the Mission and distances as far as the East Bay. They were excited and pleasantly surprised by what “the E” had to offer.
“I’m super excited to see so many neighbors, children running around and seniors out here,” District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen expressed. “I am grateful that the forgotten district is getting some attention.”
As the festivities wrapped up around 9:30 p.m., the crowd gathered for the grand finale of the Lucha Libre matches. The climactic conclusion featured outrageous stunts, including cartwheels and playful antics as champions Puga Da Boss and Kaka Meng delivered a humorous mooning moment that concluded the event on a lively and cheeky note, entering into the spirit of celebration and enjoyment.
The evening showcased the community’s spirit and solidarity, all while fostering a sense of connection through laughter, entertainment, and local business support.
image source from：missionlocal
