The grassroots group determined to bring a farmers’ market to Vicksburg is nailing down plans and enrolling farmers in time for opening day June 14.

The market will return each Saturday through Sept. 13 from 8 a.m. to noon. And the volunteers who have been working since February to see this become a reality are counting on community support.

“A big turnout would be nice,” said volunteer Kristen Meehan. “I know the downtown merchants hope it will be a whole day for people.”

The Vicksburg Farmers’ Market will, for now, call the area at Grove and Levee streets near the former Levee Street Depot and L.D.’s Kitchen home. The “hitching lot” market, a term referring to vendors selling goods from carts, truck beds or tabletops, will offer produce from local farmers, as well as a variety of food items and other goods.

The downtown location for a farmer’s market is on a Levee Street parking lot east of the Levee Street depot. Meredith Spencer * The Vicksburg Post)Vicksburg Main Street, acting as the umbrella organization for the market, was handed $5,000 in city funds last month to crank up the event. Most of the money will be used for advertising, Main Street director Rosalie Theobald has said.

Lamar Horton, a city employee, has joined forces with volunteers Meehan, Mary Beth Lasseter and Fawn Francis to drum up interest among area growers.

“We’ve probably identified about 100 farmers either by direct contact or through farm associations,” Horton said.

As the opening date nears, volunteers are sending out information packets to farmers they hope will get on board and combine their offerings to bring a market similar to those already thriving in Oxford, Columbus and Jackson’s Belhaven community. Farmers will pay $5 for each Saturday they set up, which guarantees booth space and market advertising.

With its location at the center of Vicksburg’s booming tourist area, where the floodwall murals, splash fountain, art park and playground already draw weekend crowds, market volunteers hope the seasonal event will be added to the list of community activities. They even plan to provide music and, eventually, special events as part of the package.

“It will be entertainment as much as it will be produce,” Lasseter said. “It’s a community event.”

It also will be a chance for consumers to tap into the fruits of the local farming community.

Opening DayThe Vicksburg Farmers’ Market will begin offering fresh produce June 14 and every Saturday through Sept. 13 at Grove and Levee streets. Hours will be 8 a.m. to noon. Farmers wanting to sell produce, vendors and interested volunteers may contact Mary Beth Lasseter at 601-634-9484 or vicksburgfarmersmarket@gmail.com.”All our growers are selling in Jackson. Why don’t we just do it here?” Lasseter said. “It’s important to support the local farmers. I think we’re out of touch with who grows our food. It’s important to be connected.”

Meehan, who has lived in downtown Vicksburg since September, said she jumped on board to start a local market about as soon as she realized there wasn’t one.

“I just assumed there was a market. I grew up around markets,” she said. “It’s such a good opportunity to interact with neighbors and community. I wondered why it was missing.”