Two weekend events raised money to help start a program aimed at bringing the community together.

Organizers of the Denton Community Market held fundraisers Friday at Hannah’s restaurant and Hailey’s Club to build a financial basis for the Community Market that will begin next April.

“I’m almost speechless with the positive feedback and the generosity from local business and artists,” said Kati Trice, market coordinator for the organization. “It’s been overwhelmingly positive.”

Friday night’s event raised about $1,000 by silent auction. The restaurant owners also donated 10 percent of each person’s ticket.

The market, which will open April 20, will run every other Saturday from April through November, featuring food, art and music from the Denton area.

It will be on the corner of Sycamore Street and Carol Boulevard.

“The point is just to get more people involved in our community and to bring more attention to our farmer’s market,” said Allison Flannigan, a development and family studies junior.

The market is also intended to showcase what Denton citizens are capable of.

“There is so much energy and activity around art being created and music being created, and just people being really passionate about what they’re involved in,” Trice said. “I just want to bring it all together and showcase it in one place, and that’s really what the market is.”

The planners of the market are working with the existing farmers market to expand it and offer residents an array of goods.

“I think it’s great. It’s really hard to find good, local food around here,” said Claire Morales, a communication design sophomore.

Buying local products, especially foods, is beneficial for the community, Morales said.

Aside from things that can be bought, some members plan to offer instructional courses at the market.

Bryce Benton, a UNT alumnus, said he plans to teach people practical skills for living.

“We also plan to have some workshops where people can learn hands-on how to fix a bicycle, how to capture water and how to filter water,” Benton said. “Just different practical skills that are helpful for people of all ages.”

From teaching skills to offering food, music and art, Trice said that the market will bring citizens together for something that she hopes will be a destination for the area.

“I see it as everyone giving a little piece of themselves to support something greater than themselves,” Trice said. “It’s an opportunity to show all the beauty that Denton is in one place.”

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