SAM Academy is launching a new series of outdoor markets in Sanger, beginning with the first Summer Night Bazaar on July 1. The event took place beside Sanger Bible Church, drawing families, community members, and performers to the location. Sanger is situated approximately 11 miles north of Denton.
The Summer Night Bazaar series is scheduled to occur on the first Wednesday of each month through September. Each evening will feature a mix of food and retail vendors, along with performances by students from the academy. Organizers plan to rotate the vendor lineup for each event to provide variety for attendees who return for multiple markets. The inaugural market included vendors selling jewelry, crystals, and baby clothing.
Elizabeth Barrera, the office manager at SAM Academy and one of the event organizers, stated that the goal is to create a weekday gathering for the community during the summer months. She noted that the idea originated from the success of a recent Cinco de Mayo fundraiser, which demonstrated the potential for both community engagement and financial support for academy programs.
Performances are a central component of the series. While the event will feature established groups such as the ballet folklorico dancers, it will also offer opportunities for students to perform solo songs. Melinda Salcido, the executive director of SAM Academy, explained that the academy encourages students to step outside their comfort zones to build confidence through live performance. She described the effort as a way to give students a "little kick" to help them gain courage in front of an audience.
Salcido expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the first market and hopes to see increased attendance at the upcoming events. She emphasized that the series is intended to benefit the local community and support the students.
