Protect Eatonville’s Legacy: Support the 1887 Night Market Ordinance
To the People of Eatonville and Beyond,
Eatonville’s story is one of resilience and self-sufficiency. As the first incorporated Black town in America, our history is built on the determination of those who fought for our right to self-govern. Yet, recent boundary changes and decisions made by past town officials have eroded trust, allowing outside forces to reshape our town and threaten our culture.
The pattern is familiar. Just look at Winter Park, where Black neighborhoods were targeted, reshaped, and displaced under the guise of “community support.” Now, Eatonville faces similar pressures—a push for profit that could strip away our heritage.
The 1887 Night Market stands as a counter to this narrative, providing a space for us to celebrate our culture, empower our residents, and build economic strength. It’s more than an event—it’s a commitment to our community’s future.
We need your support for this ordinance to protect the market and make it a permanent fixture in Eatonville:
- Official Location: Make the Town Hall Parking Lot and Park the permanent home of the 1887 Night Market.
- Support for Relocation: If relocation is ever needed, the town must cover all resources and logistical costs.
- Essential Services: Ensure town support for electricity, water, restrooms, trash services, and maintenance.
By signing this petition, you’re standing up for a space that belongs to us, a space that ensures Eatonville’s story remains ours to tell. Let’s keep our legacy alive.
Stand with us. See proposed Ordinance Below, Sign in support of making a change.
Ordinance No. 2024-XX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EATONVILLE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING SUPPORT FOR THE 1887 NIGHT MARKET; PROVIDING FOR NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES; DESIGNATING RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TOWN; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Town of Eatonville recognizes the historical significance & impact of the 1887 Night Market in fostering community engagement, historical character, economic growth, tourism; and
WHEREAS, the Night Market operates on the first Saturday of each month from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with market activities occurring from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM; and
WHEREAS, the 1887 Night Market has attracted numerous visitors, thereby enhancing the local economy and promoting the cultural significance of Eatonville; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Eatonville acknowledges its responsibility to support the 1887 Night Market by providing necessary location, infrastructure and services for its continued success;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF EATONVILLE, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. 1887 Night Market DesignationThe 1887 Night Market shall be held on the first Saturday of each month at 307 E. Kennedy Blvd. Eatonville, FL. 32751. The Market shall operate from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM this includes set-up and breakdown time, with scheduled market activities occurring from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Section 2. Town ResponsibilitiesThe Town of Eatonville shall provide and maintain the following infrastructure and services to support the 1887 Night Market:
- Market Location: Town Hall Parking Lot and Town Hall Park shall be the official Night Market location & if any alternative location is needed the Town of Eatonville shall assist in finding the appropriate location and facilitate all logistical needs and amenities to accommodate the change.
- Electricity: The Town shall supply and ensure the availability of electrical connections for vendors and event lighting.
- Water: The Town shall ensure the availability of towns water usage during Market operations.
- Restrooms: The Town shall provide and maintain accessible public restrooms during the operating hours of the Market.
- Trash and Sanitation: The Town shall ensure the market has the necessary amount of trash cans, and garbage usage fees will be responsible by the Town.
- Maintenance: The Town shall oversee the maintenance of the Market area, ensuring that all infrastructure, including electrical, parking lot grounds, Town Hall Park, lighting and water systems, remains operational and up to code.
- Security and Safety: The Town shall collaborate with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of attendees and vendors.
The Town shall work in collaboration with 1887 First, the organization overseeing the Night Market, to coordinate the ongoing infrastructural needs of the Market and ensure that all operational aspects are effectively managed.
Section 4. Duration of SupportThis ordinance establishes the Town’s responsibility for the ongoing provision of these services for the duration of the Night Market’s operation or until such time as the Town Council amends or repeals this ordinance.
Section 5. SeverabilityIf any section, subsection, clause, or provision of this ordinance is held to be unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this ordinance shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6. ConflictsAll ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 7. Effective DateThis ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
October 28, 2024
42 Comments
The official powers in charge at the City of Eatonville continue to disappoint me. From what they allowed to happen to the old school, this and so much more. This is supposed to be the oldest Black municipal. Do what’s right for once and support the people. The adult children and offspring’s of the ancestors who laid down their lives working hard to bring the wealth to people who not their own. That’s in no way shared with the people who slaved to bring it about. This land is supposed to be for the people of Eatonville and it’s SAD that they continue to repeatedly make it difficult for the people to thrive and build generational wealth for their own. I’m disgusted ! And I happy to support the efforts of our people by signing this petition.
It’s imperative things are done and handled by Eatonville government in a timely and professional time so the historical city of eatonville can be self sufficient and grow to be the powerhouse it can be. If this can not be met the local politicians need to step down because they are not doing their job that’s in the better for the people and community.
Job well done with this petition. This town is negligent to advance notify any and all constituents involved and this will cost them for a day or even a weeks salary, many lives affected by this and are dependent on their day at the market. Many forget but I don’t, government works for the people not the other way around.
1887 night market is integral to community mental health, local economy, and place making. It needs to be honored and provided appropriate resources accordingly.
My experience with the night market has been fantastic; bringing community together, giving a platform to small business owners and offering an organic, life-giving social event for the wider, Orlando area.
I support
1887!
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Protect Eatonville’s Legacy: Support the 1887 Night Market Ordinance
To the People of Eatonville and Beyond,
Eatonville’s story is one of resilience and self-sufficiency. As the first incorporated Black town in America, our history is built on the determination of those who fought for our right to self-govern. Yet, recent boundary changes and decisions made by past town officials have eroded trust, allowing outside forces to reshape our town and threaten our culture.
The pattern is familiar. Just look at Winter Park, where Black neighborhoods were targeted, reshaped, and displaced under the guise of “community support.” Now, Eatonville faces similar pressures—a push for profit that could strip away our heritage.
The 1887 Night Market stands as a counter to this narrative, providing a space for us to celebrate our culture, empower our residents, and build economic strength. It’s more than an event—it’s a commitment to our community’s future.
We need your support for this ordinance to protect the market and make it a permanent fixture in Eatonville:
- Official Location: Make the Town Hall Parking Lot and Park the permanent home of the 1887 Night Market.
- Support for Relocation: If relocation is ever needed, the town must cover all resources and logistical costs.
- Essential Services: Ensure town support for electricity, water, restrooms, trash services, and maintenance.
By signing this petition, you’re standing up for a space that belongs to us, a space that ensures Eatonville’s story remains ours to tell. Let’s keep our legacy alive.
Stand with us. See proposed Ordinance Below, Sign in support of making a change.
Ordinance No. 2024-XX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EATONVILLE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING SUPPORT FOR THE 1887 NIGHT MARKET; PROVIDING FOR NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES; DESIGNATING RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TOWN; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Town of Eatonville recognizes the historical significance & impact of the 1887 Night Market in fostering community engagement, historical character, economic growth, tourism; and
WHEREAS, the Night Market operates on the first Saturday of each month from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with market activities occurring from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM; and
WHEREAS, the 1887 Night Market has attracted numerous visitors, thereby enhancing the local economy and promoting the cultural significance of Eatonville; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Eatonville acknowledges its responsibility to support the 1887 Night Market by providing necessary location, infrastructure and services for its continued success;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF EATONVILLE, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. 1887 Night Market DesignationThe 1887 Night Market shall be held on the first Saturday of each month at 307 E. Kennedy Blvd. Eatonville, FL. 32751. The Market shall operate from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM this includes set-up and breakdown time, with scheduled market activities occurring from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Section 2. Town ResponsibilitiesThe Town of Eatonville shall provide and maintain the following infrastructure and services to support the 1887 Night Market:
- Market Location: Town Hall Parking Lot and Town Hall Park shall be the official Night Market location & if any alternative location is needed the Town of Eatonville shall assist in finding the appropriate location and facilitate all logistical needs and amenities to accommodate the change.
- Electricity: The Town shall supply and ensure the availability of electrical connections for vendors and event lighting.
- Water: The Town shall ensure the availability of towns water usage during Market operations.
- Restrooms: The Town shall provide and maintain accessible public restrooms during the operating hours of the Market.
- Trash and Sanitation: The Town shall ensure the market has the necessary amount of trash cans, and garbage usage fees will be responsible by the Town.
- Maintenance: The Town shall oversee the maintenance of the Market area, ensuring that all infrastructure, including electrical, parking lot grounds, Town Hall Park, lighting and water systems, remains operational and up to code.
- Security and Safety: The Town shall collaborate with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of attendees and vendors.
The Town shall work in collaboration with 1887 First, the organization overseeing the Night Market, to coordinate the ongoing infrastructural needs of the Market and ensure that all operational aspects are effectively managed.
Section 4. Duration of SupportThis ordinance establishes the Town’s responsibility for the ongoing provision of these services for the duration of the Night Market’s operation or until such time as the Town Council amends or repeals this ordinance.
Section 5. SeverabilityIf any section, subsection, clause, or provision of this ordinance is held to be unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this ordinance shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6. ConflictsAll ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 7. Effective DateThis ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
October 28, 2024
42 Comments
I haven’t experienced such a unique and culturally relevant event in Eatonville since the early years of the Zora festival. Actually, I can’t say there has been anything in my generation that has drawn such a positive group of both vendors and patrons to Eatonville other than Zora and now the Night Market. This stat alone should be significant enough to emphasize not only its current importance to the town of Eatonville but its potential to further the growth of such I historic town. Let’s not just let Eatonville be remembered for its rich history. Let’s also allow the history of Eatonville to be written with positive and uplifting events like the 1887 First Night Market.
The official powers in charge at the City of Eatonville continue to disappoint me. From what they allowed to happen to the old school, this and so much more. This is supposed to be the oldest Black municipal. Do what’s right for once and support the people. The adult children and offspring’s of the ancestors who laid down their lives working hard to bring the wealth to people who not their own. That’s in no way shared with the people who slaved to bring it about. This land is supposed to be for the people of Eatonville and it’s SAD that they continue to repeatedly make it difficult for the people to thrive and build generational wealth for their own. I’m disgusted ! And I happy to support the efforts of our people by signing this petition.
It’s imperative things are done and handled by Eatonville government in a timely and professional time so the historical city of eatonville can be self sufficient and grow to be the powerhouse it can be. If this can not be met the local politicians need to step down because they are not doing their job that’s in the better for the people and community.
Job well done with this petition. This town is negligent to advance notify any and all constituents involved and this will cost them for a day or even a weeks salary, many lives affected by this and are dependent on their day at the market. Many forget but I don’t, government works for the people not the other way around.
1887 night market is integral to community mental health, local economy, and place making. It needs to be honored and provided appropriate resources accordingly.
My experience with the night market has been fantastic; bringing community together, giving a platform to small business owners and offering an organic, life-giving social event for the wider, Orlando area.
I support
1887!
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I haven’t experienced such a unique and culturally relevant event in Eatonville since the early years of the Zora festival. Actually, I can’t say there has been anything in my generation that has drawn such a positive group of both vendors and patrons to Eatonville other than Zora and now the Night Market. This stat alone should be significant enough to emphasize not only its current importance to the town of Eatonville but its potential to further the growth of such I historic town. Let’s not just let Eatonville be remembered for its rich history. Let’s also allow the history of Eatonville to be written with positive and uplifting events like the 1887 First Night Market.