Downtown Marshall NCThe Creative Life on the River

Looking for a special dog bed?  Come to Downtown Marshall!

Special to the News Record & Sentinel

In conjunction with the upcoming Dog Daze French Broad Friday on August 13^th, several local artists have created one-of-a-kind dog beds that will be auctioned off as a fund raiser for Friends of Madison County Animals (FOMCA).  FOMCA is headquarted in historic downtown Marshall, and works to reduce the number of unwanted animals in Madison County and increase their well-being.  Programs include a spay-neuter program, vaccination clinics, feral cat trap/neuter/return, an outreach center, educational programs and a pet pantry.

Dog Daze is the third in the 2010 series of “French Broad Friday” events in downtown Marshall.  (See prior post for the Program of Events).

Several of the dog beds were made by local woodworkers using locally harvested, recycled, reclaimed and repurposed materials.  Lois Simbach created a half dozen bed cushions – some are paired with the wooden beds and others will be auctioned off on their own.  Some of the beds are for big dogs and others are more suitable for medium or small dogs.  The unique beds are on display at the following businesses in downtown Marshall:  Ain’t That Cuticle, Bacchus Bistro, Bowman Hardware, Flow, Good Stuff, Lapland Bookshop & Art, Madison County Courthouse, Penland’s Department Store and Zuma, with more to come.

The fund raiser is a silent auction that opened last week.  Bids are accepted any time until the auction closes at 8:00pm on Friday, August 13^th when the highest bidder will win the bed.  Artists donated their work to the event and all proceeds from the auction benefit Friends of Madison County Animals.

Wow – there is a LOT of STUFF happening for the upcoming Dog Daze French Broad Friday event!!  First off, there are ~EVENTS~ that are the things to do:

6:00 to 8:00PM:  Silent Auction of unique dog beds made by local artists. Beds will be relocated to the Island on Friday.  All proceeds benefit Friends of Madison County Animals.

6:00 to 8:00PM:  Paint your own dog (or cat) pottery dish.  Marshall High Studios room 101. Fired Up! from Asheville will have several sizes to choose from (cost is based on size selected).

6:00 to 8:00PM:  Madison County Arts Council:  Hot New Pots exhibit opening.  And the new retail space will be open for business!

6:00 to 8:30PM:  Doggie Wellness information on the Island.  Topics include nutrition, spay/neuter, health, first aid, animal abuse and grooming.  Toenail clipping available!

6:00 to 8:30PM:  “Flea Boutique” featuring many animal-related items and other great deals and good finds!  On the Island.

6:00 to 9:00PM:  GRAND OPENING of “Foreverland” across the street from Ponder Auto and close to the Depot.  Mixture of locally handmade & vintage clothes, furniture, household items & accessories as well as musical instruments & art.

6:00 to 9:00PM:  Pet-i-cures at Ain’t That Cuticle featuring OPI “Paw-lish”. Many fun and unusual colors that would be purrrrrfect for your dog!

 6:00 to 9:00PM:  Dog washes by LuLu outside Ain’t That Cuticle/

 6:00 to 9:00PM:  Carriage Rides – these are free but tips help cover Kevin’s expenses and are most appreciated!

 7:00 to 10:00PM: The Marshall Depot.  The Depot on Main Street is a community sponsored venue that hosts an old time bluegrass jam every Friday night at 7 p.m. This is always a free event, but donations are welcome. Come on out and bring your dancin’ shoes!

 7:30PM:  Dog contests on the Island emceed by Joe Penland.  Many cool prizes donated from Mountain Tails Pet Supplies in Mars Hill, employees of Dollar General in Mars Hill, TJs Market in Mars Hill, and Weaverville Pet Pantry.  All entrants will receive a special Marshall bandana (while supplies last).

8:00PM: Silent Auction of Dog Beds CLOSES.  Come by the tent after 8:15 to see if you have the winning bid and to pick up your bed.

8:00PM:  Pooch Parade. Parade will start on the Island, go over the bridge to Main Street, down to Good Stuff and back up Main Street and over to the Island.

9:00 to 11:00PM:  FREE CONCERT on the Courthouse steps (weather permitting).  Bring your blankets and/or lawn chairs and enjoy the music of The Jazz Kittens along with Bobby Hicks.

9:30:  The movie “Grease” will be shown in the parking lot of Foreverland. Bring a blanket or chair.

Then, there are the ~STUDIOS AND GALLERIES~ that you should take the time to visit (even if you’ve been in there before, there are always new items on display!):

Flow:  14 South Main, open till 9PM.  Showcasing local pottery, artisan furniture, woodworking and jewelry.

 Marshall High Studios:  Studio 104, Blannahassett Island, open from 6PM to 9PM.  See the art that is created in the old high school.

 Hill Street Studios:  Open 6 to 9PM.  Studios are located on the corner of Main & Hill Streets, back door/second floor. 

>>>Mary Maupin Brumo Paintings in acrylics and oils.

>>>Suzanna Biro-Jewelry Unique beaded neckpieces.

And then, there are the ~Food, Drinks and Stores~:

Ain’t that Cuticle  63 South Main Street, open until 9PM. First floor features antiques, gifts and oddities.

AliGators  32 North Main, open until 2AM.  Pool Tournament starting at 7:30.  Cold Beer.

Bacchus Bistro  18 North Main, open until 10PM. Special dinners tying in to the Dog Daze theme (details to follow).

Foreverland  South Main, GRAND OPENING!  Mixture of locally handmade & vintage clothes, furniture, household items & accessories as well as musical instruments & art.

Good Stuff  133 South Main, open until……  BBQ Sandwich Special with tasty sides.  Live music with Jesse James at 8PM.

Lapland Bookshop and Arts  147 North Main, open until 8PM.  New and used books and regional art in a storybook setting on the French Broad River.

 Natural Canvas Tattoo and Museum  133 South Main, open until 9PM.  Very cool opportunity – stop in and meet the new artist and business owner.

 Joe Penland’s Indoor Flea Market  148 South Main, open until 9PM.  Indoor flea market and jam with Joe Penland.

 Penland’s Department Store  50 South Main, open till 9PM.  Old time department store – Carhartts, clothing, books from local authors and much more!

 Zuma Coffee  7 North Main, open till 9PM.  Marshall’s meeting place!  Creative healthy comfort food.

Downtown Marshall was a haven for Mermaids, Pirates and Sea Creatures on Friday!!  Mayor Lawrence Ponder and musician Steve Davidowski led the Mermaid Parade thru a wedding rehearsal dinner and all thru downtown.  Prizes were given to the best adult and best child mermaid costumes, as well as best pirate and sea creatures (no sailors participated…..).

Additionally, we had 2 environmental statements:  one for the BP oil crisis and the other was for the big floating mass of plastic in the ocean (I hear it’s bigger than the state of Texas……why is this not making the news in a big way?!?!?!?).

The weather had threatened to turn nasty, but fortunately held off.  The concert started with a sound check of Mustang Sally blaring from the courthouse steps and then at about 9pm Michael Cody and the Original Sugar Daddy Band started up and rocked until about 11:30.  Michael played several of his own songs, much to the delight of those who have been fans of his since his early rockin’ days in Madison County with the White Water Band. 

July 9th will be the next French Broad Friday event with the theme of Bike-A-Licious.  Pistol Creek and the Catch of the Day is lined up for a return to Marshall (they were here last year for Bike-A-licious).  Hope to have another great crowd in downtown Marshall!

Plans are all in place for the 3rd annual “Mermaids in Marshall” French Broad Friday event.  Festivities begin on the Island at 6:30 with face painting, games, pictures and getting in the Mermaid mood with reggae music.  Lots of folks have been talking about costumes being made over the last week or two…..maybe they want to win the costume contest???

 The Mermaid, Pirates and Sailors Parade will start at 7:30 with a run thru the auditorium of Marshall High Studios, then we’ll head over the bridge to the “mainland” making a left at the courthouse, down to Lapland Bookshop & Arts, and then head down to Good Stuff where we’ll have the costume contest (around 8pm).  Beads and bubbles will be provided to parade participants (while supplies last) to wear, throw and blow…..so there isn’t any confusion, participants wear the beads, throw the beads and blow the bubbles….

Be sure to stop by the soft opening of “Flow” from 5 to 9pm.  Located in the former Firewalker Gallery space featuring local ceramics, body scents – lotions and potions, clothing, textiles and jewelry.

Suzanna Biro and Mary Maupin of Hill Street Studios will be open from 5 to 9pm….stop on by and see their fabulous work.  The studios are located on the second floor of the building that is on the corner of Hill and Main Streets (enter the back door at the rear of the building)

 Zuma Coffee is having a gallery opening from 6pm to 7:30pm for Seeing Through the Eyes of a Hummingbird by photographer and Madison County resident Connie Toops.

The Depot: Traditional country, bluegrass, & mountain music, dancing, a cakewalk, and more starting at 7pm.

 Penland Department Store, one of the town icons, will stay open until 9pm.  Stop in and pick up something while you’re in town!!

 Bacchus Bistro will have a special menu for Friday evening featuring Local Trout,  Wild Sockeye Salmon and BBQ Pork.  Serving from 5 until 10pm.

Check out the new and used books and regional art in a storybook setting on the French Broad River at Lapland Bookshop & Arts.  Store will stay open until 8pm.

In addition to now serving food at Good Stuff (kitchen will be open until 10pm), they’re running a “Mermaids in Marshall” $2.50 special for SweetWater 420 Beer.  Also, Peace Jones from Asheville will begin playing immediately following the costume contest.

Carriage Rides will be available (weather permitting) from Worley’s Farrier & Carriage Service starting at 6pm and going until 9.  There isn’t a fee for the ride, but tips are very welcome!!

 And the headliner for the evening, Michael Cody with Special Guests, the Sugar Daddy Band.  Starting at 9pm in a NEW VENUE!  We’ve moved the band to play on the courthouse porch instead of the SECU parking lot, taking advantage of the courthouse lawn.  Bring your lawn chairs, but also plan to be up dancing!