Riverside Arts Market opens Second Season
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/804449186_sYKfe-M.jpg)
Following a successful inaugural season, the Riverside Arts Market reopened on March 6th. The opening was celebrated with a parade, led by the Raines High School Marching Band, and Jacksonville City Council Members Bill Bishop (District 2) and Michael Corrigan (District 14). At the end of the parade, the council members formally cut the ribbon on the event, opening it officially for the second season.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-mar-riverside-arts-market-opens-second-season
We need to get some boat parking on the river near this event. The only public dock downtown on the northbank is at the Landing... Complaining aside, I went about 10 times last year and plan on doing the same this year. It is a great event for JAX.
I believe this is in the works!
Weren't they also talking about providing water taxi service from the northbank/southbank to the venue? That would be really great!
Hah, I was right behind you in the parade.. I'm the Stormtrooper.. I'm always the stormtrooper. :P
^Awesome!
Yes, they will have Water Taxi access as soon as they build a dock.
Storm: You had a very attractive young space officer with you too.
That I did! She's taken by our awesome squad leader, however! :D
(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7079/barbershopquartet.jpg)
They even sang the Imperial March for us!
My understanding is the new dock will be somewhere near the Fidelity dock, as opposed to directly behind, say, the river stage. I imagine the current must whip through there pretty strongly . . .
Great crowd on opening day!
Might be a bit OT, but does anyone remember the English food booth that was there last year? I went today and didn't see them. I'm interested in some of their food, anyone know their name/website? Thanks!
Quote from: coredumped on March 20, 2010, 09:17:00 PM
Might be a bit OT, but does anyone remember the English food booth that was there last year? I went today and didn't see them. I'm interested in some of their food, anyone know their name/website? Thanks!
Just guessing here: http://www.theproperpiecompany.com/
That looks like them, but it can't be. That site is located way down in Davenport (past ORL on I-4). Thanks for trying, I couldn't even find them when looking.
On 2nd look (at their FB page) it might be them, they seem to "tour" and were in st augustine recently. I sent them an email. Thanks o2roadking!
I remember them as the British Pie Company, but Proper Pie Company could be right, too. They had an awesome Guinness Steak pie, and my kids love the Shepherd's pie. They were definitely part of RAM last year, but only for the first two months or so. I miss them.
I'll post their response here (probably won't be until Monday). In the meantime, if any one knows the name or site of the shop, please let us know:)
The British pie company from the market is from outside of Orlando. They also have a booth at the Fernandina Farmers market on Saturdays 9-1 . Try there.
If anyone is interested, they wrote me back with the following:
QuoteYou can find us every Sat at the Fernandina Beach Farmers Market up on Amelia Island. We also attend monthly markets in the Jax area-
1st Sat month Doctor's Village Market in Julington Creek on race track road
2nd Sat month 210 community market SR 210 in St Johns area
3rd Sat month Nocattee Farmers market off US 1
If it's not too far for you to go, we attend St Augustine on a Wed and Ormond Beach on a Thursday.
Did anyone else notice a significantly fewer number of vendors at yesterday's RAM? It looked like the entire row nearest the bike valet was empty. I really don't understand because yesterday was the first nice warm sunny day that the market has had and so many vendors were no-shows. Seems odd to me. I didn't get there until about 2pm, but there appeared to be many patrons still enjoying the day and spending their money.
Quote from: floridaforester on March 21, 2010, 01:38:22 PM
Did anyone else notice a significantly fewer number of vendors at yesterday's RAM? It looked like the entire row nearest the bike valet was empty. I really don't understand because yesterday was the first nice warm sunny day that the market has had and so many vendors were no-shows. Seems odd to me. I didn't get there until about 2pm, but there appeared to be many patrons still enjoying the day and spending their money.
That's funny because I am a facebook friend with one of the vendors, well should i say former vendors. And she said that after 20 weeks of being a vendor that RAM contacted her and said that her work no longer met "the standards of creativity, execution and craftsmanship". As you can bet she was pretty upset. I wonder if this happened to other vendors? She also did say that a few days later that RAM said they had openings for new approved vendors.
The guidelines in place seem to cater to "bigger" vendors. I have been wanting to participate in being one at RAM but am too afraid I will be excommunicated from the market :-\
Quote from: hanjin1 on March 21, 2010, 01:55:01 PM
Quote from: floridaforester on March 21, 2010, 01:38:22 PM
Did anyone else notice a significantly fewer number of vendors at yesterday's RAM? It looked like the entire row nearest the bike valet was empty. I really don't understand because yesterday was the first nice warm sunny day that the market has had and so many vendors were no-shows. Seems odd to me. I didn't get there until about 2pm, but there appeared to be many patrons still enjoying the day and spending their money.
That's funny because I am a facebook friend with one of the vendors, well should i say former vendors. And she said that after 20 weeks of being a vendor that RAM contacted her and said that her work no longer met "the standards of creativity, execution and craftsmanship". As you can bet she was pretty upset. I wonder if this happened to other vendors? She also did say that a few days later that RAM said they had openings for new approved vendors.
well, that hurts...
Quote from: hanjin1 on March 21, 2010, 01:55:01 PM
Quote from: floridaforester on March 21, 2010, 01:38:22 PM
Did anyone else notice a significantly fewer number of vendors at yesterday's RAM? It looked like the entire row nearest the bike valet was empty. I really don't understand because yesterday was the first nice warm sunny day that the market has had and so many vendors were no-shows. Seems odd to me. I didn't get there until about 2pm, but there appeared to be many patrons still enjoying the day and spending their money.
That's funny because I am a facebook friend with one of the vendors, well should i say former vendors. And she said that after 20 weeks of being a vendor that RAM contacted her and said that her work no longer met "the standards of creativity, execution and craftsmanship". As you can bet she was pretty upset. I wonder if this happened to other vendors? She also did say that a few days later that RAM said they had openings for new approved vendors.
I partially overheard one of the vendors complaining about what sounded like the Market 'board.' I couldn't make everything out, but this would seem to fit with what's posted here. It was odd that there were significantly fewer vendors there. I got there around 2 as well and thought maybe some had packed up already...
From http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/FAQs.html#visualart
Does RAM review all products to be sold at RAM?
Yes, all products are reviewed during the application process by a peer group called the Arts Review Committee. RAM Staff also does a second review on Market Days, visiting each vendor, and ensuring that RAM Guidelines are being followed and no unauthorized products are being sold.
Well that stinks, because I went specifically to get veggies and growers' alliance coffee. I got veggies, but no growers alliance coffee... I hope that's not why they weren't there.
^ It probably was. Their rules seem to prohibit any art or food that was packaged elsewhere for resale. They want the grower/artist/cook to be selling their own products.
I agree with some other comments that these rules seem very harsh, and it's a shame that they would actively drive away vendors. On the other hand, I am sympathetic with RAM. If they didn't actively police their vendors, it would turn into a flea market within weeks. Vendors would start selling little plastic trinkets made in China and packaged food products they bought wholesale.
Perhaps as time goes on, RAM will naturally develop a middle ground.
Its not fair to vendors that follow the rules and have the proper permits. Example: there are 2 sellers of honey. One that has actual honey hives, the equipment to extract it and packages it himself. The other one buys honey in bulk wholesale and repackages it into household sizes and brings it to the market. Not fair to the guy who has to maintain and process, pay the permits, taxes etc.
Bold Bean coffee has been there before. They roast and package their coffee here in Jax. Don't know why they weren't there on opening day, does anyone? There was a Kenyan coffee seller there last year too.
Re. fewer vendors this past Saturday, you're right. From what I understand, this was a light week for a number of reasons, but the bulk of booth reservations really start in April. Vendors choose which dates to attend based on their own schedules, so it's not something RAM is doing. As for vendors who were approved last year, but not this year, I believe there was a concerted effort to limit the number of "bead stringers" (as one ARC person told me).
i understand about people resellin stuff that's already made and packaged, but this lady did her own work with making computer artwork with pictures. it is actually pretty neat and the only booth i remember like it. just weird that they would turn her artwork down, since she actually does it herself.
River Day at RAM
Our St. Johns River is our city's greatest asset. Come celebrate it with us this Saturday. And celebrate in a big way. Remember, RAM is always free with plenty of free parking. Bikes too, in our Regions Bank free bike valet!
The St. Johns Riverkeeper will be in Farmer's Row and on the River. With boat trips from the Riverwalk!
City biologist, Dana Morton, will be doing water testing on the riverwalk
Children's Activities in Farmers Row
Rain Barrel display & auction
Info Booth
Sidewalk Chalk
"I heart my river" stickers
Boat Trips for $5 per person
Meet the Riverkeeper and his team
Mayor Peyton will sign boat dock legislation on River Stage at 11am
Bold Bean promo: all proceeds from Riverkeeper Roast to be donated to SJRK, and buy 2 bags and get a free Riverkeeper t-shirt! (while supplies last)