The story begins mid-July 2004, when two Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society (FPJ & BS) members discussed the possibility of starting a crafts market on Melody Lane adjacent to the Farmer’s Market.
One of those members was Marilyn Buckenholz (fondly known as Mrs. FPJ & BS). She was an impressive dynamo who helped with volunteer recruiting, weekly Jazz Jams, Jazz Week and the Mardi Gras parades. She even wrote the newsletter!
The Market conversation became a reality and the FPJ & BS Market officially opened on October 9, 2004 with Marilyn as its manager. The Market began with one vendor plus the FPJ & BS hospitality tent. Member, Harry Quattro, delivered and picked up the tent every Saturday. Vendors gradually increased to eleven and sometimes as many as fifteen. They included a Real Estate rep, some jewelry retailers, a furniture maker and the local Humane Society, which displayed its adorable collection of dogs and cats that were available for adoption. When Marilyn moved to Phoenix, we, (Donna & I) were asked to run the market and we graciously accepted. We watched the market increase to an average of around forty vendors during the winter season. Unfortunately due to personal circumstances we had to return to Philadelphia for a short time. The market continued to thrive thanks to members guided by Chris Dzadovsky, Katie Hill and Debbie Denning. When we returned to Florida in 2008, Roberta Hanley, Vice President at the time invited us to run the market once again.
The market is thriving under its new name “Jazz Market” and as of today it boasts an escalating number of around sixty vendors. Original and creative items such as fine arts, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, handmade soaps, pet supplies, beach crafts, Highwaymen paintings, writings from local authors, hand painted glassware can be found displayed for purchase at their booths. We are always looking for ideas to enhance the market experience for our visitors and vendors. Coming up in the future we will be hosting craft making demonstrations, showcasing local businesses and service providers. Non-Profit organizations are always welcome at the market.
The year-round Saturday morning Jazz Market in downtown Fort Pierce is one of Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society’s biggest fundraisers. The funds raised benefit our local communities and schools through education programs, scholarship awards to college bound high school students, weekly jazz
jams, waterside concerts and music festivals.
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