As sunshine and mild temperatures become more consistent, Mother Earth is beginning to yield the first of what promises to be months of delicious, homegrown goodness for the table.
April 25 signals opening day of the Hitching Lot Farmers” Market at the intersection of Second Street and Second Avenue North. From 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., growers with early produce and area artisans will gravitate back to the community gathering place where everything for sale is “locally made, grown or conjured up.”
“We have 37 annual vendors signed up for this year”s market,” stated Amber Murphree, director of Main Street Columbus. “They”ll set up every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. after April 25 until October.”
Among growers planning to attend opening day are M.C. Ellis of Mayhew Tomato Farm and Lacy Freeman. The Ellis family will have jars of jellies, sauces and jams and expect to have some strawberries, too.
Freeman hopes to have some turnip greens and onions and is looking forward to harvesting the 36 varieties of vegetables he planted for this season.
Spring flowers, plants and herbs grown at Palmer Home for Children will be available, and live entertainment by the Suzuki Strings players will welcome shoppers.
“We”re all excited about this upcoming season and Celebration Saturday May 9,” Murphree remarked. “We really expect the Farmers” Market to continue growing thanks to great community response, the best in fresh produce, wonderful volunteers and assistance from the city of Columbus.”
For market or vendor information, visit www.hitchinglotfarmersmarket.com, or contact Main Street Columbus at 662-328-6305.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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