By Lynndi Lockenour
The Fleur de Lis Market on North Second Street in Frenchtown will take place this year on Saturday, June 10, 2006 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The event brought approximately 2500 people to the area last year and chairwoman of the festival, Roxanne Jacobs, said this year seems promising already.
Currently there are 15 antique booths, along with the local shops, 5 food vendors offering a variety of ethnic foods, and Vivian’s Vineyards will also have a beer garden. Jacobs said there was talk that the Market wasn’t going to happen this year, but she was able to rally enough support to continue the event. “It’s great for all the businesses down here,” she said.
Jacobs owns Nooks ‘n Crannies, an antique shop on North Second Street, and her shop has been in business nearly four years. She says locals, as well as out-of-towners turn out for the festival every year, with some even coming back annually. “Sometimes I get people who come back into the store after they first came to the festival,” she said. “It’s nice to see that people enjoy it so much.”
Drawing people back each year, Jacobs said, are the settings each shop and booth offer individually. Juried booths offer buyers a more personal environment, and she said this brings the crowds back. “Last year’s market was very successful and everyone had a great time,” she said. “We hope to continue that with this year’s market.”
One new attraction adding to this year’s atmosphere will be the appearance of vintage cars, as well as a performing mime. Also, four bands will be playing throughout the afternoon, offering a mix of jazz, soft rock, and country music genres. This years bands will be Black Dog and the Rainmakers (jazz) from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Fourplay (soft rock) from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., Silverwings (country) from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., and Maris Becket (soft rock) from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. There will be two separate music performance locations, one in the Premiere Catering parking lot, and the other in the lot of the old gas station in the 1500th block of North Second Street.
Booths are still available and Jacobs said she is currently looking for several quality crafters to add into the market as well. For information on the festival please contact Roxanne Jacobs at Nooks ‘n Crannies by calling (636) 949-6525.
