Saturday: Opening Day of 2007 Ballston Arts and Crafts Market

Got this from Kristina at the Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership:

The Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership is pleased to announce plans for the opening day of the 2007 Ballston Arts + Crafts Market on Saturday, June 9th, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Ballston Arts + Crafts Market runs Second Saturdays from June to October in Welburn Square, at 9th and N. Stuart Streets, across from the Ballston Metro station. It is conveniently located near the Ballston Common Mall, the Ellipse Arts Center, and a wide array of restaurants, cafes, shops and condominiums. In its three years of operation, the juried Market has gained a reputation for quality works at affordable prices.

This fourth year of the market will prove to be the best yet with more vendors than ever, a variety of musical performances, and a campaign to make Ballston a destination point for visitors from surrounding areas.

The market's opening day line-up includes 30+ vendors with a wide range of traditional and not-so-traditional handmade goods. Visitors this year can expect to see familiar work by long-time exhibitors such as Nancy Sween pottery and the award winning photography by Steve Miller, but will also be surprised by a new array of edgy artists from Washington, DC, Baltimore and beyond such as the DC Craft Mafia, Squidfire and Toxic Shock Printing. Shoppers can expect to find artwork, functional pieces for their homes, affordable gifts for friends and loved ones and a new array of "indie" designer clothing and accessories.

To round out the event, market visitors will be treated to free live music between noon and 3pm. On opening day the market will host two-DC based bands: Omegaband and the Lucky Bastards - both touting an impressive fan base and funky ska-influenced sound. ( http://www.myspace.com/omegaband / http://www.myspace.com/luckybastards )

As an added feature this year, the market has approached local businesses and asked them to donate coupons and gifts for goody bags that will be distributed to the first 100 people who visit Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership booth. On opening day our bags will feature coupons for special deals at nearby restaurants such as Willow and I Love Thai as well as gifts and discounts to other nearby businesses and shops.

All of these elements add up to a huge day of fun in the center of Ballston, VA - making it THE destination for both Local and DC-area residents on Saturday, June 9th!

For a more details including the complete roster of vendors, bands, supporting business and market sponsors visit our blog at: www.ballstonarts-craftsmarket.blogspot.com

Hope to see you there!