On August 13th, the Sunday Market will honor the River Delta Fire District.  The fourth annual event gives area children an opportunity to meet the first responders, while customers shopping throughout the market can drop change or dollars — or checks! — in bright red boxes to donate to the local, all-volunteer fire department.

The River Delta Fire District serves an area of the California Delta encompassing approximately 30 square miles.  As an “all-risk”, all-volunteer agency, the RDFD provides any emergency service, 24/7/365, to the residents of its service region.  Located just north of Highway 12 on Jackson Slough Road, the station provides emergency and rescue service as well as public education to people living or visiting along two major rivers,  the Mokelumne, and the San Joaquin, as well as many sloughs and tributaries.  “We are there for the people who make their homes in our service area, but also the seasonal visitors to our beautiful Delta,” said one battalion chief in a recent conversation.  “We also respond to frequent accidents, combat brush and more complex fires, and provide support for other departments in the area, as they do for us.”

The vendors and volunteers of the Sunday Market have a special place in their hearts for the River Delta Fire District.  Many of them live at Park Delta Bay, which hosts the Sunday Market  in its central meadow throughout the season.  Others come from nearby Rio Vista or Walnut Grove, but all have connections to the California Delta.  “We love our first responders,” said one vendor at a recent meeting to talk about the upcoming fundraising effort.  “It’s a comfort to know that when something happens, they will be on hand as quickly as we call for help,” another added.

The Sunday Market will also bid farewell to its two-season food vendor, Taqueria Mexico.  Leti, Yuli, and the other staff at Taqueria Mexico have been a wonderful asset to the Sunday Market.  However, with the addition of their second location in Vieira’s Resort, their time and available staff no longer allows them to be a regular at the event.  August 13th will be their last Sunday with the Sunday Market, and it’s fitting that it will be the fourth annual River Delta Fire District Day.  The Delta Bay Foundation has been grateful to have the Taqueria Mexico for the last two seasons, and happily bid them good fortune at both their locations.  Sunday Market manager Corinne Corley notes that she has been pleased with their veggie tacos and perfect rice.  “But I work in town — so they aren’t quite rid of my business yet,” she gleefully exclaimed.

An added attraction to the August 13th market will be Rio Vista resident Gary Jenkins, spouse of local attorney Greta Jenkins, with his shaved ice cart.  He loves a good fundraiser and will be handing out his cold treats for free.  A red RDFD collection box will sit atop his cart, so bring your spare change to donate to the brave first responders while enjoying a delicious cold cone of lovely flavored ice!

As usual, at least a dozen artisans will show and sale their wares at the Sunday Market, with several new vendors making their debut on August 13th.  On offer will be everything from glass bead jewelry to freshly baked goods, hand-made candles, jellies, jams, and crystals.  Silo Farm Organics will set up their summer bounty, with ripe heirloom tomatoes just coming into season.  Next to the Taqueria tent will be the now-familiar Beer Tent hosted by the Sunday Market sponsor, the Delta Bay Foundation.  A cold beer or bottled water goes great with tacos!  And while you take a break from shopping, enjoy the live music produced by the Sunday Market regular entertainer, Randy Carey, playing his guitar and singing his heart out for your enjoyment.

The Sunday Market takes place 2nd & 4th Sundays in June, July, and August, with the Harvest Market on October 22nd and the Holiday Market on December 10th.  The Market hours on August 13th and August 27th are 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  There is no charge to visit the Sunday Market — shop to your heart’s content, and on August 13th, drop your spare change & dollars into a red box to help the River Delta Fire District continue its mission to keep our Delta safe and secure!

The Delta Bay Foundation is a California NFP with 501(c)(3) tax status.  Thanks to a generous grant from an anonymous donor, the Foundation has not had to charge a table fee for area artisans to participate in the Sunday Market.  Park Delta Bay provides space for the Sunday Market at no charge as a service to the community.  For directions to the park or information about overnight or long-term parking, call the park office at 916-777-5588.  For more information about the Sunday Market, contact the Market Manager, Corinne Corley, at 816-520-9152 or by email at ccorleyjd@gmail.com.

See you at the Sunday Market’s 4th Annual River Delta Fire District Day!