Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market plans to have its standard fare of produce, baked goods and craft vendors along with a few family-friendly activities this upcoming season.
The market’s grand opening for the season will be 7-10 a.m. May 14. It is located at the intersection of 2nd street and 2nd Avenue North, near the Lowndes County Soccer Complex.
Chelsea Best serves as the market coordinator. She was an intern with Main Street Columbus in 2014.
“We are going to have 25 total annual vendors — 14 farmers and 11 bakers and crafters. Those are the ones who show up every single time,” she said. “Throughout the season we have people who can show up daily to set up.”
The grand opening will be among four dates in which the market will host something special. During these Sizzling Second Saturdays, families will be able to participate in a variety of activities, Best said.
On May 14, June 11, July 9 and Aug. 13, Project Chew is scheduled to host cooking activities. Hosted by the Mississippi University for Women’s culinary arts program, Project Chew provides information about healthy food options through cooking demonstrations, food samples and recipes, Best said.
Other activities during the Sizzling Second Saturdays include YMCA tie dye shirts, petting zoos, music, visits by Columbus-Lowndes Public Library’s Mother Goose, crafts and more.
“There’s some fun activities there for everyone,” said Barbara Bigelow, Main Street Columbus executive director. The market is part of Main Street’s activities.
She noted that the farmers market gears its activities and events toward getting residents to eat healthy and enjoy local produce.
“We’re trying to get more people to the market, to get the farmers more business and so people can have healthy eating, healthy living and lifestyle choices,” Best said.
The market is a certified Mississippi farmers market. As a certified market, Hitching Lot must meet some guidelines to keep that certification, such as having all of its vendors live within a certain distance of Columbus. They also must grow or physically make their products themselves.
Bigelow and Best both noted that the market is supported by several community sponsors.
The market accepts vendor applications throughout its season. The cost is $5 a day to have a spot at the market.
“We have a daily vendor option,” Best said. “If you only have something one time of the year, you can come that day, early in the morning before set-up and speak with the market manager. They can get you an application and they’ll tell you where to set up.”
Crafters must have their items juried by the market board, so as to ensure they were handmade.
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