In three short days, Columbus’ Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market will be back in business for another prolific growing season. For crops, that season is still young, but for market-goers who have missed the community gathering place since last October, anticipation is running high. Hitching Lot manager Tony Rose expects nearly 35 vendors for the grand opening Saturday from 7-10 a.m. at the lot at Second Street and Second Avenue North, by the Columbus Soccer Complex.
Precisely at 7 a.m., Rose will sound the bullhorn and proclaim the 2016 market open. Patrons will be glad to see many favorite vendors returning with homegrown produce, baked goods, handmade craftwork, plants and flowers. They will spot some new faces and enhancements as well.
One innovation will be a casual coffee area.
“We are changing things up a little down at the market this year by creating a social coffee area at the Farmers’ Market entrance,” said Katherine Munson of the Hitching Lot’s advisory board. Katherine Lucas of the Main Street Columbus office is organizing cafe and picnic tables to create a convivial space.
“We hope this further encourages people to stay and socialize at our incredible community gathering place,” Munson said. “The board has truly benefited these past few years with the fantastic leadership of Main Street’s Katherine Lucas.”
Sizzling Second Saturdays
Second Saturdays each month will be a big family draw. Planned activities to engage children will include a petting zoo, inflatables and a sidewalk chalk art contest. Focus will also be on encouraging youngsters to embrace healthy habits.
“It is becoming vital that we try to mold kids to a healthier lifestyle from a young age,” said Lucas. “We want them to learn about the benefits of fresh produce and exercise while becoming motivated to eat a well balanced, unprocessed diet that they will enjoy. It’s important to form healthy habits as early as possible.”
Saturday’s grand opening includes Mother Goose, live music by Melvin Mordecai and painting with vegetables and sponges for the kids. June 11 takes families “On the Farm,” with the petting zoo, pony rides and chalk art contest. “Spirit Day” July 9 will feature a bounce castle, festival games, water balloons and face painting. August 13 marks the “Back to School Bash.”
To market, to market
Hitching Lot vendors are busy preparing for opening day.
Farmers like Charles Speed just across the state line, in Pickens County, Alabama, are closely watching their planted crops. When the harvest is ready, his Speed’s Farm will bring everything from corn to cucumbers. Until then, the family will be at the market with canned items like salsa and candied jalapeno peppers, plus a variety of decorative crafts.
“I grow gourds, and we make some bird houses, and I build carpenter bee traps,” said Speed, who sometimes demonstrates his craft on site.
Mayhew Tomato Farm will be on hand with strawberries and expects to have a limited amount of squash and potatoes Saturday, as well as their salsas and jellies, said Mel Ellis.
Black Creek Farms’ free range eggs return, too. “And we’ll probably have some kale and turnips and maybe some Swiss chard,” said vendor Scott Enlow.
Baker Star Strait of Brooksville has to miss opening day, but will be a regular vendor again this year, bringing her extensive variety of pies, breads and cookies, and Southern Gold Apiaries’ honey from the family’s farm.
Annie Fair of West Point has her inventory of jams, pickles, jellies and preserves ready. Almost all of her goods are made from produce she’s grown herself. She calls her business MaeLue’s Sweet Dreams. It’s a family version of her late mother’s name — Mary Lou.
“MaeLue came from my mother’s name … She was the one that taught me the basics of how to can, so I named it for her,” said Fair.
Every week will see more and more fresh produce in season as Mother Nature keeps her appointed rounds.
“It’s always a treat to visit the market; there’s such a variety, and the landscape changes as the harvests come in,” said frequent patron Angela Knight.
“We’re excited to begin this season with our local farmers and crafts specialists,” said Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow. “We’ve made a couple of changes to this year’s market, which we hope the public will enjoy.”
The Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market is provided through a partnership between Main Street Columbus and the City of Columbus. Anyone interested in becoming a part of the farmers’ market, either as a vendor or volunteer, should contact Main Street Columbus at 662-328-6305 or email [email protected].
Get inspired at the Farmers’ Market
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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