North Topeka Arts District will be having its grand opening of their NOTO Saturday Market on Saturday April 7th. It will be held at the north end of the Kansas Avenue Memorial Bridge and will last from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

NOTO Arts District was developed in 2009 because of the Heartland Visioning process which aimed to stimulate more culture and economic activities in the North Topeka area.

The development of an arts district in Topeka was highly suggested from the local community because it would help this developmental process through the promotion of local and regional artists, visual performing arts, antique dealers, a NOTO Community Arts Center, restaurants, and more.

“We had such an amazing response from the people throughout the local community and we wanted to do something that could potentially get the whole community involved,” said Anita Wolgast, co-chair of the NOTO board. “Everybody loves markets, so what better way than having a NOTO market?”

NOTO Saturday Market will have many different types of vendors. Including many different artists displaying their work of pottery, jewelry, crafts, yard art, vintage items, and more. There will also be different heritage food vendors with ready to eat food and food available to be taken home. There will also be locally grown produce, plants, live entertainment and music, and more.

“We’ve had such a positive experience preparing for the grand opening and working with different vendors,” said Wolgast. “We’ve also had great cooperation from everyone in the city of Topeka and Shawnee County who helped clean up the area and make it look really nice, and a great partnership with the Rescue Mission director, Barry Feaker who is also supporting with Marketing assistance as well as helping keep the grounds clean each Saturday.”

NOTO Saturday Market grand opening on April 7th will consist of free live entertainment including a clown and calliope and dances by the Ballet Folklorico and Irie Tribal Dance Company. There will also be art, antiques and crafts available for purchase.

The market will be open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Saturday November 3rd and will have many different and diverse vendors from not only the community but the midwest as well.

NOTO hopes that everyone will stroll the market vendors, see emerging and accomplished artists, celebrate multicultural heritages, listen and enjoy the different live entertainment every week, and explore NOTO shops and galleries.

“As the market grows people will be coming from other towns around Topeka to also have a fun fabulous time,” said Wolgast. “Which will provide an economic growth for our community and also allow us to socialize with different people from around the Midwest.”

For more information about NOTO or the NOTO Saturday Market please visit www.notoartsdistrict.com. To find out how to become a vendor contact Sherry Glenn at 785-220-5765 or email her at [email protected]