Riverwalk Market Fair Announces EDA Funding, Staff, New 2013 Hours
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) of the City of Northfield recently approved a budget of $18,000 to support the staffing and promotion of Riverwalk Market Fair in 2013.
Riverwalk Market Fair has become a valuable community asset. Now in its fourth year, Riverwalk Market Fair vendors generated over $422,500 in revenue since the Fair started in 2010. In 2012 vendor sales reached a record $ 182,500, a 52% increase over the previous year. The Fair contributes to the vitality of downtown businesses. According to a 2012 economic impact survey, visitors to the Fair spent $136,000 at local businesses. The Saturday Fair draws an increasing number of tourists. The same survey determined that 31% of Riverwalk’s 2012 visitors were from outside of Northfield.
This year the Fair will offer a wider array of live music and special events, more ready-to-eat artisan foods and new artists. The Fair continues to be a resource for visitors looking for information about the Northfield community and a place to find information about the unique shops, boutiques, restaurants and hotels located in and around downtown.
“EDA support of the Riverwalk Market Fair will help make Northfield a magnet regional center for the arts, which is part of the city’s plan for economic development,” said Jack Hoschouer, EDA president. “Riverwalk Market Fair gives visitors from southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities a unique opportunity to get to know what our city has to offer: talented, friendly people and charming shops and restaurants. We hope that visitors to the Riverwalk Market Fair will find Northfield a great destination for a future day trip or an overnight visit. I hope that some visitors may also be impressed with Northfield as a great place to do business.”
2013 Riverwalk Market Fair Announces New Management Team
Riverwalk Market Fair has hired Nancy Stroessner as Market Fair Manager and Teresa Tillson as Promotions Coordinator. Stroessner, formerly the Executive Director of the Madison, Indiana Main Street Program, will coordinate vendors and manage the weekly fair activities. Teresa Tillson will manage public relations, serve as a liaison with downtown businesses, and coordinate entertainment and special events.
“Riverwalk Market Fair is delighted to have these two highly-skilled, talented professionals as this year’s management team. Their efforts, in addition to the hard work of our volunteers is sure to make this season’s 21 Saturdays the best ever,” said Barbara Burke, Riverwalk Market Fair Board member.
2013 Hours and Dates of Operation
In 2013 the Fair will operate 21 Saturdays from June 1 through October 26 (except September 7, Defeat of Jesse James Days weekend). New hours are from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, rain or shine. For more information, directions, and weekly updates on events and featured vendors visit www.RiverwalkMarketFair.org.
Riverwalk Market Fair is a Saturday open-air market located on Bridge Square in historic downtown Northfield. This one-of-a-kind European-style market is open Saturdays from June through October. Each Saturday features a different combination of organic and sustainably grown produce from local farmers, artisan foods, seasonal flowers and a juried selection of the region’s top art and fine crafts including ceramics, paintings, prints, photography, glasswork, textiles, wearable art, garden sculpture and hand-crafted jewelry.
For more information on the weekly line-up, visit www.RiverwalkMarketFair.org.
Minneapolis StarTribune