The West Side Market kicked off a weekend-long celebration of its Centennial birthday on Friday,
November 2nd.

That afternoon, a group of third and fourth graders from Urban Community School gathered on the balcony to lead the crowd in a chorus of “Happy Birthday.” Then they helped to blow out the candles on a cake decorated by Market vendor Cake Royale with a historic postcard of the West Side Market.

As cheers of celebration went up from the crowd, people lined up to get a piece of cake donated by
Grandma Frieda’s and Reinecher’s Bakery.

On Saturday, November 3rd, the Market closed early to get ready for the Centennial Gala. Fifteen local and national chefs and nearly 1,000 guests helped to raise $175,000 for the West Side Market Capital Fund.

High priority improvements will be targeted for the first phase of the capital campaign in 2013, including upgrading the public restrooms and repairing the coolers.

Over the long-term, future projects might include renovating the former second floor locker room into an events space, demonstration kitchen and public seating.