Piety Street Market offers festival festoonery, flea-market style

Thrifty shoppers looking to spend a day venturing across the city should turn their attention towards the Piety Street Market. The market is hosted by Old Ironworks from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month.

Take the streetcar, walk down Royal Street to check out the art galleries, continue down Frenchmen Street and then head towards Crescent Park. After making your way towards the Rusty Rainbow, enjoying the riverfront view along the way, cross over the bridge and grab a slice of pizza at one of the best places in the city. Stop by Euclid Records if so inclined, and then head into Old Ironworks, which boasts more than 60 vendors.

The market always hosts live music, on a recent occasion featuring the Dave Rebeck Trio with Matt Rhody, of Cottonmouth Kings, and Jack Craft, of Sweet Crude. Running consistently since 2012, much of the work for setting the market up falls upon vendor organizer Cree McCree. McCree is something of a flea market expert, channeling her years of experience into a book, “Flea Market America: The Complete Guide to Flea Enterprise.” McCree also advises that anybody looking to get into the carnival spirit check out Piety Street Market.

“This particular market that’s coming up this Saturday is gonna be our big carnival market,” McCree said. “It’s actually the same day as Krewe du Vieux. … There will be a lot of vendors out this Saturday with costumes and masks and various carnival festoonery.”

Beyond Mardi Gras wares, shoppers can also find art, jewelry, used books and vintage clothing.

“For the fashionistas in your crowd you’ll find, and for men too, lots of really cool clothes at good prices,” McCree said.

Those concerned about the market conflicting with their Krewe du Vieux plans need not worry, as the market ends at 4 p.m. and Krewe du Vieux does not begin until 6:30 p.m.

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