There was a time that Lexi loved going to The Market. That was before the operators of the TN Pavilion banned dogs “for health reasons.” I happen to know it was really because some of the vendors threatened to pull out because of dogs urinating on their goods. I guess you could call that health reasons if it was fruit and vegetables. After the ban on dogs, I refused to go, since I couldn’t take Lexi. This picture is from the fall of 2006 when Lexi was growing out her hair to play Toto. And yes, that is me with long blonde hair!
I went today with Jeff. Jeff plays alto sax in Chattanooga’s Big Band, Sweet Georgia Sound. They play at The Market in the Tennessee Pavilion in downtown Chattanooga at least twice a year. In the picture on the right, Jeff is front, far right. The band mostly plays the American Standards, and today they were honoring the veterans (Veteran’s Day is this coming Friday).
Jeff splintered the small bones in the top of his right foot about a year and a half ago and is still not able to do much ballroom dancing. Several dancers we know had claimed a couple of the tables directly in front of the dance floor, and beckoned me over to sit with them. In ballroom, everyone dances together, so I got more dancing in today than I have in ages. Jeff even came out of the band to dance a swing and a foxtrot with me!
These folks were outside the Pavilion, doing their own thing for tips, and they were good!
The Market is a riot of colors, smells and sounds. There is enough original artwork to open a small gallery.
Lots of arts and crafts
I had to share a picture of this original “toy” truck holding none other than Tennessee Whiskey and two Jack Daniels shot glasses. How would you like to see this coming down the road?
There were lots of food vendors and I had a delicious pulled pork sandwich with slaw and BBQ sauce. There were also baked goods, produce, honey, jewelry, soap – all homemade or homegrown – and lots more for sale. The weather was sunny and in the mid-70’s F, so The Market drew a huge crowd today.
Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia 