Felder Rushing says he’s ready to “talk dirty” with Columbus gardeners and farmers this weekend at the season’s grand opening of Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market.
“We’re going to get dirty,” Rushing said. “Well, we’re going to talk dirty anyway.”
Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market, located at the corner of Second Street and Second Avenue North, will welcome dozens of local vendors and shoppers for the first time this season from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday.
Rushing, a seasoned gardener and weekly broadcaster of “The Gestalt Gardener” radio program on National Public Radio, has been invited to speak to market-goers following the market’s end at 10 a.m.
“There’s nothing more important to me than sitting on the back of a tailgate at a farmer’s market talking to real people about real stuff in real time,” said Rushing, whose weekly syndicated gardening column runs in The Dispatch. “… This is what I was raised for.”
Rushing will be in the back of his signature green pickup truck alongside his truckbed garden of flowers, rosemary, basil, oregano, kale and peppers, to answer any gardening-related questions people may have.
Rushing also plans to give advice on how to grow flowers, herbs and vegetables together in small spaces and will discuss the importance of decorating gardens with accessories like colorful glass bottle trees and garden gnomes.
Before Rushing begins his talk, he’ll be shopping alongside locals through rows of fresh-picked veggies, handmade crafts, local honey and more.
Market coordinator Chelsea Best said 38 vendors have registered for the market so far.
“We’re anticipating a large attendance of vendors,” Best said. “I hope that the public comes out and shows their support for our local farmers and everyone else who works really hard to bring food and fun things to the community.”
The market will feature an array of children’s activities, including a Lowndes County Master Gardeners educational display about corn, a free “Make your own tie-dye t-shirt” booth with Columbus YMCA, a chance to see a Columbus Fire and Rescue truck up close at 9 a.m. and Mother Goose’s Nursery Rhymes and Parade at 9:15 a.m.
The market will also feature live music by Catfish Alley Studio musicians.
These special additions on opening day offer a glimpse into the market’s Sizzling Second Saturdays, a series of special events held during the market on the second Saturday of each month through August.
Best said the lineup for each Saturday will differ, but each will include fun activities, music and food. A lineup of each Sizzling Saturday should be available on the Hitching Farmers’ Market website by the market’s opening day.
“We hope it’s the biggest and best day ever,” Best said.
After this weekend, the market will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 7 to 10 a.m. on Saturdays. The market will run through October.
Starkville Community Market opened for the season May 3, and West Point Farmers’ Market is set to open June 5.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
