A &8216;can’t miss’ event

BY VICTOR INGE

THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

Downtown Selma’s Water Avenue will be transformed Saturday into Riverfront Market, one the region’s homespun festival events that attracts thousands each year.

The day, Oct. 13,

will feature artists, vendors, antique vehicles, food and family activities. Ed Greene, chairman of this year’s event, said this year’s Riverfront Market a &8220;can’t miss.&8221; In its 37th year, Riverfront Market has transformed through the years, but remains a showcase of the Queen City.

ArtsRevive, a local organization supporting the arts, has taken on the role of providing booth space and luring artists from throughout the region to showcase their talents, in addition to the vendors offering everything from face painting to delicious festival foods.

Councilwoman Jean Martin, who operates the Old Depot Museum, recalled Riverfront Markets of days gone by.

Martin said the annual event was always &8220;a real big day for the museum,&8221; especially since the antique car show was usually outside the front of the museum.

Mayor James Perkins Jr. said the annual event &8220;brings people from all across the region and state into Selma.&8221;

The festival starts, and gates open, at 9 a.m. and admission is free for children age 12 and under. The main gate will be at Broad Street and Water Avenue. Admission for adults is $2 and $1 for children older than 12.

Entertainment featured on Center Stage is the Lower Society of Upper Water Avenue at 9 a.m., followed by the Fabulous Shades at noon. Phillip Morgan and Guests are set to perform at 2:30 p.m. The Riverfront Ramblers with Dave Thomas will perform at the Songs of Selma Park at 9 a.m., and Brenda Ellis is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m.

The weekend is also home to the Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival at Pickard Auditorium. Set for Friday and Saturday nights at 5:30 p.m., there will be opportunities to &8220;tell your own tales.&8221; Selma’s own Kathryn Tucker Windham, Wanda Johnson and Bil Lepp, a five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest highlight each evening in a program that begins at 7 p.m.

A Birmingham group,The Dill Pickers, will keep the program moving with music.