Now in its twenty-first year, White Light Night is all grown up. The yearly Mid City arts festival, a project of Mid City Merchants, will be its biggest incarnation, with over seventy stops for festivalgoers to take in the work of over two hundred artists, artisans, and makers. The party evening will allow attendees to take in the wide variety of talents possessed by the burgeoning Mid City creative class, just in time for some early Christmas shopping (but early enough to completely justify buying a few treats for yourself). In addition to a profusion of shopping options, look forward to bites and drinks from the area’s restaurants and bars, live music up and down the corridor, and that never-overlooked Southern specialty, excellent company.
In addition to the browseable objects on display, those coming to White Light Night will also get a chance to take in the changes coming to the thriving Government Street corridor. Six months is a long time for an area developing as quickly as Mid City, so if you’re a little behind on your exploration of new developments (can you honestly say you’ve tried everything at White Star Market?), White Light Night will give attendees a tantalizing glimpse into the future; the old Entergy site at 14th and Government will play host to a showcase of new businesses that aren’t quite ready to open their doors but are anxious to show Mid City and Baton Rouge what they can look forward to in the near future.
In addition to all these delights, there’s a bit of lagniappe: many people don’t realize that Mid City Baton Rouge is a designated Arts and Culture District, meaning that purchases of original art or creative products are exempt from local tax. Not only will patronizing the vendors at White Light Night support local artists, small businesses, and entrepreneurs; it’ll also save you a few bucks before the winter spending season. You’ll keep more of your money in the local economy—and more in your wallet. And with free, regular shuttles running the length of the Mid City corridor from Jefferson Highway at Goodwood to Government and 14th, neither sore feet nor a touch too much Chardonnay is an excuse to cut your exploration short.
Read more about Mid City Merchants' mission and projects here.
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