Saturday, October 17 at RAM

THIS WEEK
The weather this weekend should finally feel like fall. It should be a great day to take a walk along the river. Vikings will descend upon RAM this weekend to celebrate Viking Week. We'll have a 10th century replica fjord utility boat on display. The Sons of Norway will also be there. Some will be dressed in full Viking regalia, while others will dressed in Bunads (native Norwegian dress). You'll be able to purchase Nordic delights including jars of lingonberries, Norwegian chocolate bars and lefse. And what kind of market would we be if we didn't have plastic Viking helmets so everyone can get in on the act?

The Jaguars are back again. They are home against the Rams this weekend and need everyone's support. There is also the regular assortment of amazing artisans and talented performers to entertain.

COMING UP
October 31 is Halloween and we are encouraging everyone to come in costume. We will be having a contest with multiple categories for best costumes. Don't forget about your four-legged friends! We are also encouraging the vendors to have treats for the kids so they can trick or treat while you do a little shopping. We'll be helping the city celebrate the Week of Valor on November 7. RAM will be honoring our local police, fire and rescue heros with many activities and cool equipment/displays. And on November 21 we'll be celebrating Biketoberfest. Did you know the we are the only large market in the country with FREE BIKE VALET. This is courtesy of BikeJax! Of course there is more, there always is and there are always a few surprises.

The holidays will soon be upon us. Isn't it time to start purchasing those gifts?

VOLUNTEERS
We always need new volunteers! Shannon has a new e-mail, so update your address book and while you're at it, let her know when you want to join the best volunteer group in the nation! Our vols get the only currently available RAM t-shirts and invites to exclusive special events. Not to mention the awesome feeling one gets helping us pull off the best thing to happen since the river.

This Weekend at RAM

This weekend the Riverside Arts Market celebrates National Dog Day by transforming into the Riverside Arf Barket. Visitors are encouraged to bring leashed, friendly dogs to enjoy their special doggie day. RAM will be hosting a free parade for costumed canines with prizes given in several categories.

In addition to our Dog Day Celebration, the Riverside Arts Market proudly features 160 artists who display and sell their works each Saturday. They represent a wide array of artwork, from oil paintings and sculpture to jewelry and hand-made gifts. Other popular components of RAM include a diverse fresh produce section along our Farmer's Row. Many visitors come every week to select from locally grown fruit and vegetables. Muscadine grapes, peaches, tomatoes, and goat cheese have been popular in recent weeks. There are also food vendors who sell ready-to-eat meals from shrimp creole to barbeque to beignets, which can be enjoyed along the riverfront while listening to free music.

Rounding out the festival atmosphere is an ever-changing troupe of street performers, who are spread throughout the market and are likely to pop up anywhere with an impromptu musical performance or a magic act. RAM's weekly live entertainment on the River Stage is a major attraction for the thousands of visitors who come each Saturday. This week RAM is featuring The John Carver Band, a folk rock, acoustic group that takes stage at 12:30 pm.

An added event this weekend is jax REcycle where you can bring your old unwanted or broken bikes to The Bike Valet this Saturday. The refurbished bikes are then given to residents of Community Connections and Sulzbacher Center where they will help those trying to get back on their feet and in need of transportation. It's a win-win. Someone gets much needed transportation and you get to clean out your garage.

With over one football field's area of covered space beneath the bridge, the all-weather market allows artists to exhibit without worry of rain or hot sun. The Riverside Arts Market is free and has over 1,000 free nearby parking spaces. RAM is open to the public from 10AM to 4PM.
For more information on RAM, visit www.riversideartsmarket.com