The Downtown RiverMarket began in 2012 and is operated by the City of Monroe. The RiverMarket is part of the Downtown RiverMarket Days, a nine-month festival. This festival is a celebration of downtown and the river featuring artisans, food, produce, and entertainment.
Mission: To serve as a gathering place and a launching pad for small businesses, and establish downtown as a shopping and entertainment destination.
Vision & Goals:
- To provide fresh, quality food choices including produce and prepared foods.
- To provide small family farmers a venue to sell their goods.
- Provide education on healthy eating and making good food choices.
- To establish downtown as a shopping and entertainment destination.
- To serve as a catalyst for re-investment in the downtown area; a springboard for new development.
- To attract visitors to the area.
- To host a RiverMarket that is designed to become the pride of our community.
- To create entrepreneurial opportunities by providing a launching pad for new entrepreneurs and small businesses. To provide a low-cost storefront, provide advertising, and a shopping environment.
- To serve as a community gathering place.
- To provide cultural activities.
- To assist with beautification to make the area attractive to visitors.
- To host a festival that will celebrate downtown and highlight the river as one of our best assets.
Past and current events and activities at the Downtown RiverMarket include:
- All Children’s Day
- All Dog Race
- All Sports Day
- Art, Food & Wine Fest
- Bloody Mary Fest
- Blues, Brews & BBQ
- Car Show
- Chalk Art Festival
- Christmas Pet Parade
- Coffee & Tea Festival
- Commander Christmas
- Dachshund Dash
- DanceFest
- Family Field Day/Police Expo
- Family Fun Day
- Fashion Show
- Food Truck Festival
- Geeks Along the River
- Guinea Pig Races
- GumboFest
- Handmade Art Show
- Health & Fitness Day
- Homebrew Harvest
- Human Cosplay Contest
- Jingle Bell Market
- Kid’s Fall Festival
- Kid’s Market
- Kid’s Parade
- Ladies’ Day Out
- Louisiana Food & Music Festival
- Love Your Community Day
- Magic the Gathering Tournament
- Mardi Gras Festival
- NELA Book Festival
- Pet Cosplay Contest
- Pet Pageant
- ‘Ritas on the River
- River Rat Paddling Challenge
- Super Smash Bros. Tournament
- Thunder on the River Motorcycle Fest
- Ugly Sweater Contest
- Vintage Trade Days
