All the way from 19th Street to Jefferson Hwy., Government Street was decorated in strands of twinkling white lights Friday, illuminating pop-up shops of local artisans and live music for the 20th annual White Light Night.

Jazz, rock, alternative and zydeco-style tunes echoed down the bustling street as strong smells of coffee grinds from French Truck Coffee and smoky meat from Bluetick Barbeque wafted through the air. Tents dotted the sidewalks where makers presented their art: locally designed clothes and jewelry, woodworking, letterpress cards, bath products and even handmade puppets.

Justin Lemoine, one of the four founders of Mid City Merchants and the Mid City Makers’ Market,  has been a resident of the Mid City area for nearly 10 years and has watched the event grow exponentially, he said.

While the overall goal of the evening is to build the arts scene in Baton Rouge, White Light Night allows people to see everything Mid City has to offer, like restaurants, good schools and great neighborhoods, Lemoine said.

“While we aren’t trying to one-up anyone else in the city, Mid City just has something special to offer,” Lemoine said.

For some vendors, it was their first year participating in the annual art hop, like Parish Pilates and Yoga. Inside the mint green building, you’re immediately enveloped by warm, inviting incense. Psychedelic art, funky jewelry and eco-friendly beauty products are presented at tables along the interior.

The annual art hop spotlights Mid City as a thriving creative community, owner Kristin DeMarco said. 

“I love White Light Night because number one: I like to throw a party,” DeMarco said “And number two because I want to show people Mid City is different; this is how we roll.”

While her business opened in July, DeMarco has enjoyed being a part of the Mid City community for years and loves the sense of camaraderie the Mid City Merchants have for one another, she said.

“We all know each other, love each other and support each other and we mean it — we really mean it,” DeMarco said.

For others, like Kerry Beary’s Atomic Pop Shop, this isn’t their first go-around. Amidst funky beats and the ringing of a pinball machine, the bright blue shop invites patrons in with its fun decor and aesthetic. Laden with records and even a few cassette tapes, the store implores a sense of appreciation and nostalgia.

“[At White Light Night], you meet so many new people, and get to see some of your old friends. It’s kind of like a reunion in a lot of ways,” salesman Zak Ocmand said.