The Mayor, Some Jaguars, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and the Raines Marching Band Walk Under a Bridge.

 

Riverside Arts Market! This isn't the beginning of a joke, its tomorrow!  We could probably make this two or three emails but in an effort to save you time, I'll probably just lump it all in this awesome email about the best thing to happen since the River (tm). While we are at it, go take a look at this idea and please vote every day for it while we climb up the rankings.   If you are an artist or vendor participating in the market there is important info at the bottom of this email.  Remember loads of free parking on Riverside Avenue at the big Fidelity surface lot and down to the Times Union. Don't be scared of traffic or parking. You can do it! You can also walk with the masses with RiverWalk 2 RAM! Get those legs moving, pick up a tree, get an imax ticket, get a great looking green tshirt, and you know, rock the walk.   WELCOME (BACK) TO RAM!   I know you know about the Biggest Shortest Parade ever, right? It will be led by Grand Marshal Michael Corrigan and the Raines High School Marching Vikings Band. There will also be clowns, jugglers, decorated dogs, belly dancers, Irish dancers, numerous City Councilmen and other city officials, RAM volunteers, several Jaguar players, members of the Roar, and several hundred participants in the River Walk-2-RAM event from all over the city. Feel free to invite your friends to come and be in the parade -- anyone can be in it, and the more, the merrier! Wacky hats and costumes are welcome! Dogs in costumes are encouraged! The parade will march two blocks down Riverside Avenue to the RAM site, turn down the driveway, and then make a loop through the Farmer's Market area and over to the center of the market, where Michael Corrigan and other luminaries will lead the ribbon-cutting festivities at 10:15 to start the new market year. It should be quite a spectacle and a lot of fun!  Be in the parade to show you love RAM.   The Mayor will be on hand from 8am to 9am only (he has to head to budget meetings- always working!) to meet and talk to vendors, entertainers, and volunteers. He is always really great about reaching out and saying hello and listening. How cool is that?  Your Mayor supports the arts market, artists and small businesses. Give him a hug.   THERE ARE A LOT OF NEW ARTISTS AND NON PROFITS  SO PLEASE FOLLOW THE TRAFFIC MAP! DO NOT RUN OVER THE MAYOR or RISK LOSING YOUR BOOTH!    We have this much and I haven't even gotten to the part where the market opens yet. Entertainment? Free? YES! Click here to see just some of what is in store.     You know when something is hyped so much it sort of falls flat when you actually make it to the event? This ain't that. We also have art. So much art you need to get lost in it. Check it all out. Talk to people. Enjoy it. It is a community market and event. Get your quality of life on. And wear out the kids! I will not describe all the excellent foods, Sweet Grass Dairy with extra CHEESE PLEASE, breads, coffees, produce, back rubs, jewelry, glass, toe rings, etc. Just don't have time.   And you must be present to win. So come to the market. March in the parade. Do a little dance. Wear a funny hat. Get down tomorrow.   And when its all over we will toast a LARGE TOAST at our new OFFICIAL & EXCLUSIVE HOSPITALITY SPONSOR, THE RIVERDALE INN! Once the market is completely done we are heading to the Gum Bunch Bar at the Riverdale. Come toast the start to another great year as we start a happiest of hours tradition.   ARTISTS: READ AND RE-READ your guidelines, your traffic map, NO PARKING in Red Cross unless you are a food vendor! Make sure you have tent weights, dress in layers, eat something, no plastic bags (unless they are biodegradable), no styrofoam, unload your car and go park before 9:30, don't get your car until you are packed up and then only after 4:15, no selling waters, READ YOUR GUIDELINES AGAIN! If you break rules you risk a lot. We have way too many people who want to participate to take time to punish rule breakers. Seriously, this is a fun community event. Keep that in mind. Because the community will be out IN FORCE.   Oh, and approved artists/vendors, you can login now and get more dates. Make sure you submit all the way in and go back often and look at your orders through your details page. We're tight, your tight, lets go have fun.   Love you all,   Tony PS- We always need new volunteers! Shannon's email is volunteer.ram@gmail.com.  Let her know when you want to join the best volunteer group in the nation! Our vols get invites to exclusive special events, not to mention the awesome feeling one gets helping us Seek Shelter From the Ordinary - Under the Bridge and Over the Top!

Posted via email from the urban core