Riverside Arts Market & Pogopalooza

We had another really nice weekend together as a family this past weekend, starting with a super busy day on Saturday. I don't know what it was about this weekend, but there were just way too many things going on that we wanted to do. Apparently Jacksonville really does it up for the first weekend of summer vacation! We had some work to do to narrow down our options but ultimately decided to spend our Saturday at the Riverside Arts Market in the morning and Pogopalooza in Hemming Park in the afternoon.

We have been meaning to get out to the Riverside Arts Market for some time now. It is a weekly event, happening every Saturday morning under the Fuller Warren Bridge in Riverside. This week in particular drew us out because it was Kids' Day, with extra activities planned for the little ones. We did end up having a great time at the market, perusing the booths and enjoying the atmosphere. PBS Kids was there with Curious George, and Ellie tried her hand at some gymnastics and she got her face painted for the first time. Even without the extra children's events, I think we'd like to go back to RAM again soon!

The Riverside Arts Market

Trying some gymnastics!

Balancing

Face painting!

Finished product! She chose the "Elsa" design, because she is a three-year-old girl living in America in present day.

Bubbles!

After lunch and naps, we went back out into the world, this time to check out Pogopalooza downtown in Hemming Park. Pogopalooza is the "U.S. Open" of pogo-sticking and it took place here in Jacksonville for two days, this past Friday and Saturday (the World Championships will be held in Philadelphia over the Fourth of July). We actually planned to go check it out on Friday afternoon, but stormy weather kept us home. We had better luck on Saturday, although the Skyway trains don't run on the weekends so we made the trek out there on foot. We arrived just in time to see them award medals for the Freestyle competition, and then spent some time playing in the park before catching a little of the "Best Trick" contest. They also had a Kids Zone where the littler attendees could give it a try for themselves.

Pogopalooza in Hemming Park!

Pogo sticks at the ready

Big winner!

Hanging out by the fountain with my babies

Playing with the blue blocks in the park

Making a tall, tall tower with the giant Jenga blocks!

Ellie and Eric doing some pogo-ing

Go, Eric!

Playing with the beach balls in the fountain

Ellie and Eric

Best Trick time!

That's some fancy pogo action!

We ended our fun Saturday with a walk back home and a pizza picnic on our front porch. What a fun day!