Shoppers examine the many hand-made goods now available for purchase at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños. Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2015
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AmigosNAZ staff report
FLAGSTAFF — Members of the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños reported a steady stream of visitors and customers during the opening weekend of the new indoor marketplace at the corner of 4th Street and 7th Avenue in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Flagstaff.
The open house was part of the “Festival of Dreams” celebration, which continues from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22.
The micro-enterprise operation is presented by the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff Inc.
The event coincided with the inaugural Winterfest Flagstaff 2015 Community Celebration outside in the Cal-Ranch parking lot, which included a dog sled demonstration, a snow play area for children and other events.
Upon stepping inside the newly refurbished marketplace, visitors were greeted with a variety of hand-made clothing and jewelry available for purchase, along with entertainment presented throughout the day.
During the Festival of Dreams, Mac England was busy opening boxes and inspecting sound equipment and sound-proofing material that will soon be installed at Radio Sunnyside, 101.5, a community radio station that is expected to launch in April. Its signal is expected to cover most of the city of Flagstaff, east to Doney Park and even south to Kachina Village.
The first test of the transmitter went well this week, he said. Also, the station’s new website has gone operational at https://radiosunnyside.org
The celebration continues on Feb. 22 with a “Mayan Basket Weaving Class” presented from noon to 3 p.m. by Marina Xoc Castillo de Vasquez.
“Within that time frame you will complete a basic basket,” organizers reported on their Facebook page. “The cost of the class is $10 (this includes all materials needed to make your first basket). 100% of the proceeds from the class will go to the Market of Dreams.”
A raffle will also continue Feb. 22 for a PEAVY Raptor guitar donated by AZ Music Pro. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20.
Members of the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños receive training on how to operate a business, help with obtaining food-handler and other licenses, take part in a variety of weekly business training classes and have use of the marketplace’s business center computers.
Initially the retail store hours will be Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from noon until 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 4 p.m.
Classes / workshop hours will be held Mondays through Saturdays. Click here for February’s class schedule.
Visit www.facebook.com/groups/MercadodeSuenos or call 928-213-5900 for more information.