River Arts Fest

Last weekend was River Arts Fest downtown. We met up with a group of friends there to enjoy the festivities. The weather was amazing! I mean, sunny and 80+ degrees in late October! Not that the forecast stopped some of the patrons from dressing like it was fall, though...I'm sure their feet were a bit warm in Uggs.

For the event, the city closed off several blocks of traffic and all sorts of artists set up booths. The art work was eclectic and cool! I didn't want to be one of those people who annoys the vendors by snapping photos of their wares nonstop, but I did manage to surreptitiously capture this glass art booth.

Major props to Memphis for having recycling bins all over the place! Yes, the people need somewhere to recycle their bottles and cans! I did see one guy drop some gum in a recycling bin, however. More education is needed...

It wouldn't be a Memphis festival without a random Elvis tribute artist working the crowd.

The Railroad & Trolley Museum was offering free admission, so we stopped in to check it out. It has lots of model train sets, along with some historical artifacts.

We also learned some hobo code. Did you know that one meaning of hobo is an abbreviation for "homeward bound"?

Fall is just starting to arrive in the mid-south. Here's a tree with changing leaves as evidence :)

After we'd strolled up and down the long vendor strip and observed some artisans in action, our friends wanted to go get a drink a few blocks up the road. On the way walking to our next destination we passed this "I am a man" mural. The saying comes from the Sanitation Workers Strike of 1968 and became a civil rights rallying cry.

We all met up at Beale Street Landing for some drinks and fried green tomatoes (for me, at least). This new riverfront development area apparently just opened a couple months ago. We hadn't really been down there before. It's great! The restaurant has lovely scenic river views.

After our friends hit the road, we decided to walk back to the festival and see if any bands were still playing. It was a perfect afternoon for a riverside stroll!

Back at the party, we found out Star & Micey were playing. We've heard them at the Shell before and enjoyed their music. I guess we are becoming their groupies now since this was the second time we've seen them perform this year.

All in all, it was a lovely fall day!