Valentine to the Market Highlights

Ready..set...electricians installing stage lighting

On the evening of Saturday February 25, the Reading Terminal Market underwent an amazing conversion to become an exciting party venue packed with hidden surprises.

Theatrical lighting and dramatic staging by event management company SpecialtyUSA transformed Center Court to the Valentine to the Market.  As you wandered around the avenues you stumbled across new wonders; turn a corner to find a huge roast pig, keep walking and you spot the temporary photo booth at the edge of Center Court (click here to find yourself in our photo album!) or stop to gawk at the face and body painters decorating guests at the Gala.

 

The Shutterbooth was a huge hit!

 

Mark Beyerle, owner of SpecialtyUSA explained the concept:  "We wanted people to have fun exploring the Market after hours.  We wanted them to walk around the Market and come across hidden surprises.  The lighting helped direct guests to the various food stations and entertainment points. 

"We changed the public spaces by dressing them up using props, models and lighting. 

So the piano court became a tropical-themed bar with palm trees and a live steel band, and Center Court was unrecognisable...disco lighting and a number of different live bands had guests dancing through the night."

Walk this way to the Piano Bar..!

The new La Cucina played an important role in the evening's proceedings.  It played host to a celebrity chef cook off featuring numerous Philly names in the food scene.  The lucky chefs were supported by celebrity sous-chefs who helped prep for the chefs who under pressure had to concoct an innovative dish is under 20 minutes, as this slide show by journalist Tara Nurin shows.

The Valentine to the Market is an annual fundraiser for Reading Terminal Market.  Remember to mark your calendar for next year's Gala!  See you in 2013.