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Held every Thursday in June through September 19, the 2024 Farmers Market - organized by volunteer members of the Mt. Pleasant, MS United Methodist Church - provided a venue for local farmers, craftspeople, makers, bakers, and food vendors to sell their produce and products and raise money for the local volunteer Fire Department. A new 2024 Christmas Market event is planned for the 26th of October.
More details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/mtpleasantmsumc
Open every Thursday from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, this year’s Farmers Market launched on June 6 and ran through September 19, with the exception of September 12 due to the tropical rains of Hurricane Francine. But for its last day of the season on September 19, Farmers Market shoppers and vendors were given an extra dose of Mt. Pleasant, MS community camaraderie, courtesy of the H.W. Byers High School’s Homecoming Parade that passed by.
As in the past two years, the Mt. Pleasant, MS Farmers Market featured local resident vendors like Donald Coopwood, who offered purple whole peas and hand-made birdhouses in addition to the okra he’s known for.
Vendors could display week to week; there were no contracts or long-term commitments. Booth and vendor fees have remained the same since 2022. A vendor could get a booth for $10.00, and a food truck could get a spot for $20.00.
“We averaged 7-15 vendors per week this year, “ said Colet Pierce, a high school Business and Computer Technology teacher, as well as a church member, Farmers Market organizer, and vendor who offered homemade jellies - including her uniquely created watermelon jelly. "Some vendors donated more of their proceeds to the Fire Department, especially when they had exceptionally good days, to apply how they see best. The Fire Department knows better than we do what should be done with the donations."
The Fire Department donations were generated from the booth rental and vendor fees, allowing the unit to purchase new tires for its truck and help cover the costs of outfitting new firefighters, many of whom are Colet Pierce’s former students. “It costs almost $10,00 to fully protect and outfit one firefighter,” Pierce mentioned.
The Volunteer Fire Department entered into the spirit of the event by giving away helmets and coloring books to kids and smoke detectors to adult shoppers.
The event was conceived by members of the church who wished to make use of the square to bring neighbors together, help rekindle old friendships, and inspire new ones. The events have not only supported the Church's outreach via donations but also helped build a stronger sense of community in the Mt. Pleasant, MS area. Many vendors also share their produce with those in need.
Pastor Dwayne Mayo says, “The wonderful church family that sponsors our Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market is a wonderful group of people who I am blessed to pastor.”
Interested parties can find out more about the initiative and the upcoming Christmas Market by visiting the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Facebook page or attending services. Donations and vendor applications can be arranged via Colet Pierce.
For more information, call 601-519-1777, or go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083510282758
Contact Info:
Name: Rev. Dr. Kelvin Dwayne Mayo
Email: Send Email
Organization: Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church
Address: 8 Methodist Street , Holly Springs , Mississippi 38635, United States
Phone: +1-901-467-0911
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083510282758
Release ID: 89142104