ArtWalk Claims Date Street April 30

MORE ART, LESS FARMS THIS WEEKEND

While it's true that the Little Italy Mercato farmers' market is open year-round, there is one Saturday each year when we surrender Date Street to Mission Federal ArtWalk. This massive fine art festival is now in its 27th year, including more than 10 years on the streets of Little Italy. The event will feature some 300 artists and 30 musical acts on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1.

Since artists' booths will fill Date Street, most Mercato farmers and vendors will not be here this weekend. We don't want to leave you high and dry, though, so we'll have a mini-Mercato on Saturday with fruits and vegetables and flowers from JR Organics and Paradise Valley Ranch, grass-fed meat from SonRise Ranch, goat cheese from Nicolau Farms, just-baked bread from Belen Bakery, farm-fresh eggs from Descanso Ranch and fresh berries from Pudwill Farms at India and Date Street in front of the La Pensione Hotel on Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.

We'll do it again on Sunday, May 1, but with a little different mix including Bistro Blends Olive Oils, Just Spice and Maldonado Flowers, from 11 am to 6 pm.

Visit the North Park Farmers' Market this Thursday for a wider range of offerings, then stop by and see us on Saturday or Sunday and get a little art with your groceries. Our full five blocks of farmers and vendors will be back on Saturday, May 7th, from 9 am to 1:30 pm, and every Saturday throughout the year (except this one). It's a Date!