Castle Junction in Osu turned into a thriving business hub on Friday night as the Chale Wote Street Art Festival drew thousands of patrons and vendors.

The intersection bustled with activity as makeshift stalls lined the streets, drawing festivalgoers who engaged with a colourful mix of arts, food, fashion and music.

By nightfall, the scent of grilled meat, kenkey, local drinks and cocktails wafted through the air, while stalls selling pork, shisha, beads, fabrics, handbags and artificial hair saw brisk activity.

“I came with two coolers full of Sobolo and Asana thinking it would last me the whole night but by 10 p.m., I was completely sold out,” said Naa Djagbley Ashong, a cocktail and snack seller.

“Business started slow around 4 p.m., but by 7, it was like everyone wanted pork. The queue at my stand didn’t stop. I’ve already made triple what I usually make on a regular weekend,” grilled pork vendor Kojo Baffour stated.

Efua Aba Smith, a trader in beads and African accessories, remarked: “This crowd is a blessing. I normally sell at Makola, but here, the customers are not just buying, they’re appreciating the art behind what I make. I’ve sold over 40 sets of custom beads already.”

Malik Fuseini, who runs a shisha joint, noted: “The vibe tonight is unmatched. People are chilling, laughing and smoking – it’s a whole mood. I came with 40 pipes and all are busy. I didn’t expect to cash out this hard at a street festival.”

Transport operators also capitalised on the crowd, with taxis, ‘trotros’ and ride-hailing drivers recording high patronage.

“Tonight has been like Christmas and the money has been good,” said one commercial driver.

The festival atmosphere merged art and commerce seamlessly, allowing young entrepreneurs to launch pop-up shops and test new business ideas.

For many attendees, the market was integral to the ‘Chale Wote’ experience. As one festivalgoer shared: “It’s not just about the art, the food, the energy, but the street market make it unforgettable.”