Travels :: Sacramento's Got It GOOD {GOOD: street food + design market}

Sometimes, people just get it right. Such is the case with the GOOD: street food + design market, a new art and food event that premiered last Sunday afternoon in Sacramento.

When I first received the invitation to the GOOD event from Roshaun at Unseen Heroes, I thought it would be a great opportunity for my husband Randy and I to spend some time by ourselves. Like, on a date. But it was not to be. Our playdate plans for the twins fell through at the last minute, so we ended up taking them with us. On the upside, it was so nice to have some quality twin time, and any time girls can get a "tatoo" (aka: handstamp), it's a good thing.

Once inside, we were happy to find the event featured several vendors with kid-friendly offerings and activities. Fairly quickly, the girls were drawn (no pun intended) to Sacramento 365.com's booth, where June featured artist David Peterson was working on a watercolor painting...

and where the Sac365 folks had readied tables and art supplies so the kids could create their own watercolor masterpieces.

A group of young men who were clearly kids-at-heart joined in the fun, as well.

As the girls were finishing their paintings, Isabella spotted the colorful paper creations being showcased at the Piñata Festival 2012 booth. She couldn't resist the siren call of the children's piñata workshop they had set up, so Randy got her settled in amidst the tissue paper and glue.

The volunteer who was helping everyone with their piñatas must have made quite an impression on my daughter. Waving goodbye to him a little while later, Isabella whispered in my ear, "See that boy who was helping me? I'm in love with him." I asked her his name, and she responded with a quizzical look, "I don't know. I just love him." Oh, dear. Thank goodness I've got a few more years to prepare for her first real crush... I hope.

It wasn't all about the kids, however. In fact, although very family-friendly, the Market seemed mainly focused on in-the-know, hip adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s. GOOD offered its visitors a thoughtful and eclectic mix from the food and design worlds, including organic produce...

wonderful art, jewelry and homegoods from local artists/designers...

Leather/Steel Key Lanyards from Toro Quality Goods.

Left + Upper Right: artist Steve Hamm + Urban Now.
Lower Right: gorgeous pillows from Marosi White at Accent Decor.

and even a DJ spinning it old school.

The GOOD organizers made sure there were also several adult beverage options available - including a choice of craft beers, wine, and hard cider -both inside the venue and outside in the open patio area.

Randy took advantage of Isabella's momentary distraction to grab himself a freshly-brewed cup of Broadacre Coffee, whose booth was conveniently set up right next to the piñata workshop.

Meanwhile, Olivia and I decided to scope out the rest of the Market. First we browsed the unique, handmade jewelry at the Revitalized Vintage booth.

I was particularly smitten with a lovely necklace fashioned from vintage yellow glass beads. Since we had just started looking around, I decided to "think about it." Shop owner Amy Johnson half-jokingly warned me that because her pieces are all one-of-a-kind, the necklace might not be there when I came back. Sure enough, not five minutes later this pretty gal snagged my necklace! No hard feelings, though; it looked great on her.

I decided that something sweet was in order to salve my disappointment. The POPcycle Creamery, serving samples of small-batch ice cream from a cheerful, apple-green bicycle cart, was just the thing. Friendly owner and ice-cream-pop prodigy Rachel Sprinkle-Strong just recently began her new venture, and she was happy to chat with me about her use of local, seasonal ingredients and her early years in the ice cream business as a young teen in the Midwest. Then my attention turned to the menu. With so many tantalizing flavors, how was I to choose? Rachel was kind enough to offer me a couple of samples: cherry/goat cheese and (cow-free!) coconut/curry. Both were out of this world.

Olivia took Rachel's suggestion to try the Mint/Choco Crunch, and was delighted with her choice.

By this time, our tummies were rumbling for more substantial fare, so we headed outside where a number of food trucks were waiting. There was a good selection of trucks and varied food options. We ordered meaty, juicy, flavorful rosemary/feta burgers from Fuzion Eats, which we enjoyed in the red-hued shade of the picnic area. 

Our hunger was sated and the afternoon was quickly slipping away, so we headed back inside for a last look around. One of the reasons I love this kind of event is that it seems you always run into someone you know. I bumped into local blogger Amber from Awake at the Whisk, and Randy introduced me to Brook, chef-owner at The Green Boheme raw/vegan restaurant.

We were nearing the end of our time at the GOOD Market, and I - having missed out on that yellow necklace - still had not bought a single thing, other than food (of course). Then the brightly-colored display at JUST caught my eye.

Enamored of the shop's fair-trade, global vibe as well as the hand-made baubles, it wasn't long before I became the happy owner of the little blue beauty you see below.

The girls clutched their watercolors, I strutted my new bracelet, and Randy held my hand as we headed out to our car. All in all, it had been a really great day. And that's GOOD.

What:  GOOD: street food + design market. Dynamic gathering of innovative and artisan food and design. Proceeds benefit the Del Paso Boulevard Partnership.

When:  1-5 p.m. the first Sunday of every month, through November. The next Market will be July 1.

Where:  White-washed, sunny warehouse space. 1409 Del Paso Boulevard in Sacramento.

Why:  Because it's a chance to support Northern California artists, food purveyors, farmers and designers. Because the space is cool, the food is hot, and the atmosphere is the perfect mix of funky, hip, and happy. Because it's fun for adults and kids alike. And, because Sacramento needs more events like this.

What else:   $3 for adults, free for kids 18 and under. You can purchase tickets here. Vendors will likely change periodically, but here is a list of the June Market participants:

Gypsy The Mobile Boutique 
POPCycle Creamery
Steve Hamm Art & Design
Toro Quality Goods
Accent Decor
ShopJUST
Schiff Estate Sales
Nature's Select Pet Food
Revitalized Vintage
Heart Clothing Boutique
Feeding Crane Farms
Upper Crust Baking Co.
Ana Apple Designs
Parker Benjamin
Maga Magazine
PhonoSelect
Goodie Tuchews
Sacramento 365
Sol Collective
Broadacre Coffee
Juice On
Fuzion Eats
Local Kine Shave Ice
Mamma Kim On The Go
Red Rooster Waffles
Voodoo Van

Disclaimer: the folks at Unseen Heroes, who organized the event, provided free entrance for me and a guest. They asked nothing in return for the invitation. I had a great time, and I think others would, too, so I wanted to share the event with my readers. The opinions in this post are my own. Just keeping it real.

You might also like:

Donelle's awesome Instagram pics at Seen in Sacramento;
Erin's gorgeous, light-filled photos at Bows & Sparrows;
the GOOD low-down from Amber. 

 

Comments

[Anthony Price]

Great photos. Loved that we saw different things at the same event. Looking forward to GOOD next month!

[Dawn (KitchenTravels)]

@Anthony - thanks! I am really looking forward to July's GOOD, as well. Nice recap on your blog! xo

[rachel]

awesome job - love your fotos and your writing style!

[Kachet]

Great post! Hope to connect with you at next month's event!

[Dawn (KitchenTravels)]

@rachel - thank you so much! It was great meeting you at GOOD. Your ice cream is AMAZING!

@Kachet - thanks! Hope to see you there, too. Loved the necklace in your post today!

[Lisa Veiga]

Can't wait now to check it out!!!! Thanks so much for sharing in the beautiful way you do!!!!! I have to have one of those bracelets, looks very similar to my favorite bracelet I wore for many many years and recently broke. I have my eye on the orange one ;-) I'll be taking the boys to the next one.... And we'll be trying the ice cream for sure!!!

[Dawn (KitchenTravels)]

@Lisa - awww, thanks! I love it when my friends comment on my blog! :) The orange bracelet was beautiful, too. I think I might have to pick up another one at July's GOOD event. I so hope POPcycle is there again! Her ice cream is seriously amazing. xo

[Randy]

Is GOOD!!

[henderBalz]

Oh, I want to go when we are in town! Great post...makes me want to go to there! ;O)

[Dawn (KitchenTravels)]

@Randy - so true! Thanks. :)

@henderBalz - Thanks! Sadly, you and Jim will arrive a day too late for the next GOOD event... it's July 1. Next visit! xo

[survival warehouse location]

I have my eye on the orange one ;-) I'll be taking the boys to the next one..