Upcoming events at the 17th Street Farmers’ Market:

• 3rd Annual Shockoe-On-The-Half Shell 9/18 11AM-4PM
• Red, White & Brew Last Evening 10/8 5PM-9PM
• 2nd Shocktoberfest Fall Celebration 10/16 11AM-4PM
• 11th Annual Brunswick Stew Festival 11/6 11AM-4PM
• Grand Illumination Holiday Market 12/3 4PM-9PM

Join your Shockoe Bottom friends and neighbors Tuesday, August 3rd from 5-7PM at the 17th Street Farmers’ Market for the Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood’s celebration of the 27th annual National Night Out, America’s night out against crime:

We will be enjoying complimentary food provided by the Halligan Bar, drinks, music, and games, along with raffle drawings and even a Flying Squirrels signed bat giveaway. The Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association gives our appreciation to Main Street Realty for making this year’s National Night Out block party possible, along with the Halligan Bar for donating the food for the event.

The 2010 Shockoe Tomato Festival will be Saturday, July 24, 2010 from 11AM-4:00PM. More TBA.

The 2nd Annual Burning Up the Bottom will be this Saturday June 19th 10AM-6PM at the 17th Street Farmers Market:

Get ready to see a stream of Fire Trucks large and small, new and old make their way down the historic streets of Richmonds oldest neighborhood. Leading the parade will be Honor Guards, Fire Fighter Marches, Motorcycles and BAGPIPES!

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Writing for the RTD, Will Jones takes a look at the business of the 17th Street Farmers’ Market:

Bolos said the 17th Street market has suffered from the 20 or so neighborhood and community markets that have sprouted on Saturdays across the area. “Just a few years ago, there were just more than a handful,” he said.

On Thursday, the 17th Street market had fewer than 20 vendors for its growers market — down from the 45 to 55 vendors about five years ago. Bolos said overall attendance at the market has increased in that time, largely due to special events.

Using stimulus money, the city is hoping to invest $600,000 in enclosing the 17th Street Farmer’s Market, allowing it to be open year round. The Richmond Economic Development Director believes a year round market will expand opporunities for vendors and members of the community. A farmer’s market in historic Charleston is the model for the potential project. City leaders say the project can be funded even if Richmond does not receive the federal stimulus money.[via]

Would you like to see the Farmer’s Market open year round?

The 17th Street Farmers’ Market and the Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association bring you the second annual Shockoe Chef Showdown is this Saturday, August 1st, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Top chefs from Richmond and the surrounding area will be competing for top honors in a Signature Dish Competition where entries will be judged in three main categories: the best meat dish, best vegetarian cuisine, and of course, the most decadent dessert. Taste-test the best $2 samples of each Signature Dish from 11AM to 1PM, when afterwards, main courses will be sold in bulk to take home for dinner!

The Shockoe Tomato Festival is back this weekend treating Richmonders to everything tomato. From 11 am- 5 pm Saturday, the 17th Street Farmer’s Market will have tomatoes in every conceivable form. There will also be live entertainment and activities.

Tonight kicks off the 17th Street Farmer’s Market Red, White, and Brew. Come out from 4-8 pm and enjoy the Virginia Wine Growers’ Association regionally produced wines and micro-brews with the best edible fare in Richmond!

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There have been a lot of positive environmental changes around Shockoe thanks to Venture Richmond, the 17th Street Farmer’s Market, and neighborhood support.

In the past couple weeks, the Farmer’s Market and Loving’s Produce have constructed a community garden for children learning about gardening and local businesses.  Two new recycling bins have been placed downtown- one at the Farmer’s Market and the other in the LaDifference parking lot. The Farmer’s Market has also developed a compost program for local restaurants food waste. The compost will provide organic fertilizer for the community garden.

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The 17th Street Farmer’s Market opened this past week. Vendors are optimistic about the upcoming market season according to Michael Paul William’s column this week. However, a few folks visiting the market felt that it wasn’t ready on time, as evidenced by many last minute preparations including the Mayor’s aides having to help hang banners. Some long time vendors are upset about the market being closed on Sundays…

What are you hearing?

Former President Bill Clinton will be speaking on behalf of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe at 9:30 am Monday at the 17th St. Farmer’s Market.

This isn’t McAuliffe’s first time highlighting the River District. A good part of Shockoe Bottom and downtown Richmond is featured in one of his campaign ads:

A mixed-use design proposal for the 17th Street Market Place by Jocelyn Testes-Harder.