The opening of Chattanooga Market at First Tennessee Pavilion is still a month and a half away, but organizers have the next best thing on tap this weekend.
The Chattanooga River Market, which debuted last year, will make its 2011 debut Saturday on the Tennessee Aquarium plaza. The success of River Market last year has led to more vendors and the addition of agriculture this year, said Chattanooga Market spokeswoman Melissa Siragusa.
On opening day, the River Market will host 40-plus vendors, mostly arts, crafts and horticulture and some [early season] agriculture, she said in a news release.
"The official opening [Saturday] is at 10 a.m., [but] later in the season folks are encouraged to come as early as 9 a.m. to enjoy the early morning agriculture pick," she said.
Early birds also can enjoy a free yoga clinic at 10 a.m. on the plaza led by Chattanooga Yoga Collective. Live music will be presented by the New Binkley Brothers.
The River Market will be open every Saturday through Sept. 24. Chattanooga Market will be open May 1 through mid-December.
For more information, visit www.ChattanoogaMarket.org