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Orlando’s pop-up festivals and street markets are notorious for showcasing unique, hand-made, authentic and eclectic products from artists and entrepreneurs in central Florida as well as a variety of food vendors that provide a delicious taste of Orlando culture. These markets are a vital source of outreach, marketing, and interaction for small-businesses to not only sell products, but to identify potential patrons and collaborations.

One invaluable member of this market community is Kat Ann, events coordinator for Kaya Orlando, and Organizer of The Moon Mercado. Ann’s devotion is fueled by passion to support diverse cultures presenting themselves to the community, especially the Filipino, Native American and other gentrified peoples.

“Being able to work at Kaya and not only to host people at the restaurant itself, or in the courtyard, but being able to have events where we’re inviting other local businesses is really, really great,” said Ann.

Listen to the interview here.

Ann plays a critical part in coordinating and managing a clean and reliable setting to best impact both the vendors and the patrons, as well as launching a small social media campaign to spread the word and up attendance.

“I like nighttime markets more,” said Joannie Betancourt, a third-time bakery-treat vendor called Dulce Spells at the Moon Mercado. “I’ve noticed that there’s more foot-traffic and hungry people willing to buy more sweets at nighttime versus day-time.”

The Moon Mercado has been hosted every two weeks for the past year-and-a-half. The festival is hosted every night of the Full and New Moon.

“My mission for this event was to really highlight not only locals , but to really center brown and black creators,” Ann said in an interview. “I feel like in spirituality in general, there’s not a lot of representation, especially in the US for people to be able to share their herbs or their culture they’ve been practicing for millennia.”

Kaya Orlando is hosting a Malaya market on December 9^th, in the courtyard outside the restaurant. Use this link to apply as a vendor. Follow @KayaOrlando on Instagram.