An exciting new way to shop locally has arrived in the heart of Downtown Sac. River City Marketplace (taking place August 8th from 10 am to 3 pm at Cesar Chavez Park) is designed to present the area’s best artists, crafters and small businesses in an enjoyable and memorable setting.
For years, local artists, crafters, makers, and chefs have struggled to find avenues to present their work to the public and local consumers have a desire to immerse themselves in an environment where local products are easily accessible. This market has been designed specifically to meet those needs, by providing both the outlet for artists and makers to showcase their work as well as an atmosphere for people to gather who believe that shopping small and shopping locally is essential to helping our community and local economy. Throw in some beer, food trucks, and musical performances, and you have yourself a perfect Second Saturday destination.
The upcoming marketplace will have an eclectic mix of over 100 local artists and makers. Categories include, fine art, succulent arrangements, upcycled furniture, steel and metal art, greeting cards, apparel, kids items, pottery, bath and body, jewelry, small local businesses, and much more.
Some of the local favorites would include: 
- Ana Apple: A local business in Old Sac that proudly creates quirky infant and toddler apparel using recycled and organic materials. Winner of the Calling All Dreamers award of 2014, and a local favorite.
- Art of Toys: A local business where you will find vintage toys and gifts along with art that is created out of toys and displayed in their midtown gallery.
- Graphic Anthology: One designer (Genesis Duncan) creates joyful art prints, stationery, totes, and home textiles. Everything is infused with bright colors and bold patterns, while remaining simple and sophisticated.
Tufa Rock: One maker (Joel Trglia) who designs and creates art and accessories for the home and garden whose most popular item is his succulent- Why Girls Go Astray: One maker (Andy Lowry) specializes in two distinct forms of decoupage dating back to the 18th and 19th century. The result? Beautiful, one of a kind, hand made trays. Why Girls Go Astray carefully replicates centuries-old traditional techniques and skills needed to produce a decoupage objet d’art.
- Tula in Bloom: A collection of handmade jewelry for those who want to express and celebrate what makes them unique. Inspired by renewal, individuality, and the beauty of a singular focal point, owner and designer Omonivie Okhade makes one-of-a-kind and limited run necklaces, bracelets, earring and rings based on modern, structural, and culturally influenced styles.
River City Marketplace does not limit vendor acceptance to seasoned artists, and encourages new and emerging artists and businesses to apply. These are just a few of the newer vendors who are helping to shape the fresh vibe of the event.
- Nailed It Creations: An up and coming maker Ann Wusstig, a Sacramento local, features handmade unique home decor, including wood furniture, decorative storage, and life siezed board games.
- Metaphoric Iron: Maker Kyle Porteous fabricates a variation of botanical and natural imperfect art from steel. His pieces vary from broaches and key chains to complete table ornaments.
- Make Do Sacramento: Featuring vintage fabric, handmade items, crafting supplies and quirky antiques, Make/Do Sacramento will be opening soon in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood. They aim to celebrate local makers by providing a fun space for consignment while providing the tools to help them create beautiful things (starting with vintage fabric and sewing notions).
- Seasons Coffee: Seasons Coffee focuses on coffee delivery. They utilize the USPS for out of the area shipment, while hand delivering hot coffee and cold brew coffee within the Sacramento Area. They will be serving up coffee at the market, and giving out free 2 oz samples of coffee beans
Come with an appetite and indulge in a variety of local food, drink, and desserts. Cali Love, Fuzion Eats, and Tacos Los Reyes food trucks will serve hearty portions, which you can wash down with a frosty beer from Sacramento mainstay Hoppy Brewing Company. If the heat is too much to handle, stop by Happy Cow Ice Cream truck or What’s Happenin’ Italian Ice for some sweet relief.
