Riverside Arts Market

One reason that I love weekends, especially in a bigger city, is that there always seems to be something going on. Being new to Jacksonville, my husband and I feel like we have the world at our fingertips with everything we’re discovering. First stop of today? Riverside Arts Market.

Every Saturday, March through December, you can head on down to Riverside Avenue and I-95 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM to see what’s going on at the Riverside Arts Market.

The place is huge, and fun, as it’s held under Fuller Warren Bridge. There is such diversity in what you can see and find here! Art, food, entertainers, produce, and various vendors of all different kinds!

Wood Fired Pizza? At an outdoor market?

Impressive! Next time we’re definitely coming back here for lunch!

I think I need to make my own Ode to Hippie Bread, Lindsey friendly. (read: tree nut free, but still including the chocolate!)

There’s definitely something for everyone!

I think fresh produce is simply beautiful to photograph. My only issue with the produce I saw today at RAM, was that it didn’t seem to be local. Maybe it’s just me, but I always feel like I’m being manipulated when I’m buying fruit from Chile at an outdoor locally-vibed market. If I wanted to buy fruit from Chile, I’d buy whatever was on sale at my local chain grocery store.

It’s still pretty to take photos of in the natural light, though.

Also – is this what I need to do to make some money around here? (New readers: I have a music degree, and while I’m going back to school for another degree in nutrition, at times it seems like this would be the only way to actually squeeze a dime out of my first degree.)

Since we were caught in the rain, the husband and I split an Arnold Palmer: half fresh-squeezed lemonade and half iced tea.

Told ya it was freshly squeezed!

I’m really hoping that the lemons organic, un-waxed, pesticide-free and washed, because the contrary doesn’t sound like something I’d want floating in my beverage…

While we were waiting for the rain to lift we enjoyed some live music. I’m just bummed we weren’t there later when the break-dance competition was going down!

While raining: 

After rain: (I can only imagine how beautiful this would be on a day with bright blue skies!)

We did end up purchasing one thing (besides the drink) today at the market, and of course, it would be at the most hippy of all hippy places I could find. The Blue Planet Co-Op was there was a variety of their goods. Think lots of raw flat breads, energy squares, dried fruits, nut butters, and of course this little gem I picked up – Organic Chocolate Macaroons.

I thought it was interesting that it was made with gently dehydrated rolled oats instead of almonds/ almond meal. It was still enjoyable, though. Rich chocolate flavor! Next time I’m in St. Augustine I really look forward to heading to the Co-Op in person to check it out.

Such a fun outing! Once the rain cleared we headed to another market in Neptune Beach. It was completely different, and I have a lot to say about it, too, so I’ll give them their own post in the days to come.

If anyone in the Jacksonville area ever wants to go check out the Riverside Arts Market together another Saturday, let me know and I’ll happily tag along! If anyone also wants to head to St. Augustine for the day and happen to drive by the Co-Op, I may or may not be interested in tagging along for that, too.