Richmond - The distant sound of the soulful voice of Markiss Blowfish singing "Corina, Corina" infiltrates the thick blanket of humidity that has colonized the city.  The smokey aroma of homemade BBQ makes love midair with the sweet smell of flowers and the spicy hints of herbs.  The prickly sounds of gravel being pinched under the multitude of car tires almost drowned out by the sounds of stroller wheels turning, dogs panting, and neighbors greeting.  The air is moist with the sweat from the brows of the hundreds of people who make their way on this Saturday morning for their weekly rendezvous at the South of the James Market at Forrest Hill Park.

Owned and operated by Karen Atkinson, this particular market, located at Forest Hill Ave and 42nd St. on Richmond's Southside, serves as a quaint arena for community members to enjoy music, local food and crafts all while mingling in a vibrant, creatively rich atmosphere that has a vaguely European feel.  While some vendors are set up weekely, other share their space or make bi-monthly appearances.  Whatever the week, marketeers can bank on a healthy variety of food vendors ranging from smoked BBQ to breakfast burritos, from market fave Paal with her sassy selling lines and cabbage spring rolls to die for, to garlic fries and berry baskets - carnivors to vegans alike will be able to find something to snack on while they peruse the market.  Those looking to blow through the extra $20 bill they found in last year's winter coat will only have trouble deciding where to spend it.  The market has a healthy population of local artisans with tables of funky jewelry, hand-dyed clothes, rainbarrels, t-shirts, meats, veggies, flowers, fruit, and the list goes on.  Though some people go to shop, others go for the social aspect. 

Stu Harnsbarger is a weekly regluar at the market selling his homemade rainbarrels.  Harnsberger commented on the market, "My favorite part is being able to talk to everyone.  The people are great and even just being able to talk to the people I sell stuff next to."  There is an evident sense of comradery at this market.  "It's great.  I've learned so much just from the other vendors.  They taught me everything about gardening this year.  I wouldn't have one if it weren't for them."  Harnsbarger's other fave part about the market: Nightbird and James.  Relative newcomers to the market, Nightbird and James have only been playing for about eight weeks but are already a crowd favorite.  Their silky smooth remakes of classics like the Batman theme song and Michael Jackson hits can be found in the heart of the market.  On the outskirts of the market, musician Markiss Blowfish can be seen playing guitar surrounded by his weekly audience in his signature spot to the right of the market entrance.    "I love to eat Saturday morning breakfast with the family and listent to him play," said weekly market goer Sumire Vance.  Those who are not able to listen to Markiss on Saturdays are likely to see him playing in the Shockoe slip on Friday nights.  Blowfish's brand spankin' new CD enititled Come Along With Me is also avaialble for purchase.

Perhaps the best part about the market is not just the people who come in droves to support local vendors, but their canine companions who accompany them.  Completely dog friendly, this market looks like a baby Westminter Show with all types of breeds present.  From the pit-daschund mix sitting next to his owner buying basil to the labradoodle wishing some BBQ would fall off the cart to the black puppy mutt pumped about some jerky he just scarfed down, the market does not fail to impress.  In fact, some vendors such as Dog Town Lounge specialize in raw food and snacks for dogs and cats.  And while you may not see any cats at the market, petowners are welcome to purchase a variety of differnt puppy and kitty snacks to take home from booth owner Mugsy Lunsford.

The market operates from May 1st to December 4th, 8 AM - 12 PM every Saturday.  Be sure to check out TheMarketUmbrella.com for more information about this and other markets run by The Market Umbrella or for contact information to become a vendor.
 

 

 

 

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