Riverfront Marketon Historic Water Avenue
in Selma, Alabama
Sponsored by
The Riverfront
Market Authority
Admission: $2.00 Adults, $1.00 Children, Under 12 free |  |
Riverfront Market is held the second Saturday of each October on Historic Water Avenue in Selma, one of Alabama's oldest and most historic towns. This beautiful riverfront area - according to experts, "one of the most perfectly preserved waterfront districts in the country," comes alive for a day and attracts as many as 40,000 people to enjoy the festive occasion. Over 350 vendors from nearly 50 states show and sell their wares while crowds enjoy the sights and sounds and aromas that surround them from the booths lining the ancient thoroughfare. 
Dixieland music provided by the Lower Society of Upper Water Avenue and other talented musicians vies with attractive displays of handmade crafts and the tempting aromas of regional food specialties for the shoppers' attention. Country crafts, handmade pottery, colorful quilts, pillows, dolls, and doo-dads, dirt daubers nests, handsome jewelry, oils and watercolors by artists from several states, tole ware, porcelain china, unique furniture, brass, crystal, and practically anything you could mention can be found at Riverfront Market.
At the end of Water Avenue, the former L & N Depot, one of 12 in Alabama classified as of Historic and architectural importance, is now an interpretive history museum reflecting the heritage of this area. Due to the cooperation of the Selma Mall Merchants Association, free bus service will be provided between the Selma Mall and Water Avenue throughout the day. 
Riverfront Market originated from the desire of a few Selmians to restore and preserve historic Water Avenue. Attention was centered on the area by establishing an annual craft show which would bring thousands of people to view and appreciate the antebellum buildings along the waterfront. Since that beginning, numerous new businesses have opened in the five blocks of the old riverfront district, and many buildings have been restored and adapted for reuse. The Mini-Mall, a unique collection of specialty shops in a former warehouse, delights visitors with its antiques, handmade layette items, pottery, arts and crafts, and "Olde Towne Sandwiches." On down the brick-paved sidewalks, under the light of antique lamp replicas, "Major Grumbles" welcomes visitors with a yen for good food. Treasures of the past abound in The Selma Antique & Art Mall and other businesses are expected to open soon as a result of attention directed to Water avenue by Riverfront Market. The newly restored historic St. James Hotel is certainly a place to put on your list of buildings to visit.
|
