Pics and recap: RiverArtsFest day 1

Okay, let me give you the inside scoop on RiverArtsFest in 3 words:  CINNAMON ROASTED PECANS.  There is a vendor called The Nut House (pictured below) set up right next to the National Civil Rights Museum gift shop.  They sell all kinds of nuts and their cinnamon roasted pecans are possibly the best thing I’ve ever eaten.  They make them fresh on-site.  If you’re not into pecans, they have cinnamon roasted peanuts and cashews too.

P1040070

Here are some more pics from the festival:

P1040067

Looking north from G.E. Patterson.  The booths were better spaced out this year and thanks to great weather, the festival was packed.

P1040060

John D enjoying his favorite beverage, an ice cold Bud Light.

P1040066

Clay lifts Stella the dog up to Calhoun’s window so she can order a beer.

P1040061

I don’t even want to think about what Terry might have in that cylindrical-shaped bag.

P1040063

UT fans made Calhoun’s look like a damn carrot patch yesterday.  Reminder to festival-goers today:  Calhoun’s has the NFL package and 10 TVs if you want to drop in and watch a game.  $2 PBR.

P1040058

Be sure to check out Shane Paris Art if you go to the festival today.  His booth is located right in front of the Arcade on Main Street, second booth south of G.E. Patterson.  Come support the work of a local Downtown artist.  If you can’t make it to the festival today, check out Shane’s web site.

P1040069

Stella stalking a tennis ball in a parking lot near the festival

My plans for today:  I was going to go to brunch at Sole this morning – seeing Melissa at Paula & Raiford’s Thursday night reminded me that I hadn’t been there in a while.  But that plan changed the moment I found out the Young Guns are playing at 11:55 this morning at RiverArtsFest.  The Young Guns are an absolute MUST SEE.

After that, I’ll probably hang out at the festival until it closes at 6, with at least one trip to the Nut House for cinnamon roasted pecans, and a trip to Central BBQ’s booth for BBQ nachos.  And, of course, trips to Calhoun’s throughout the day for beer.  After that I’ll head north to the Saucer for another lazy Sunday night with Brittney, then at 8:30 The Dempseys take the stage at Huey’s.  It’s gonna be a long day…