New, expanded farmers market planned for Jackson County

PASCAGOULA -- The Jackson County Farmers Market at the fairgrounds is expanding beyond plants and vegetables.

When it opens April 30 it will be a new market, more like a flea market.

This is the market held every Wednesday and Saturday in the covered barn pavilion at the east end of the county fairgrounds. There's plenty of parking. It opens at 5 a.m.

The large covered space keeps shoppers out of the rain and sun.

What you can expect is a "larger variety of vendors," organizers say.

Fairgrounds Director Jim Hart said he hopes to eventually fill the barn with vendors and shoppers.

The invitation goes out to anyone, including those with yard-sale items, organizations raising money with a rummage sale, small businesses and flea market vendors.

"It's probably going to be small at first," but maybe it will grow, with some attention and encouragement, said county spokeswoman Nicole Grundel. The fee for a table is encouraging -- $6 a day.

More than a hundred 10-by-10-foot vendor spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Vendors begin setting up at 5 a.m. and must set up and take down their own tables, chairs, and display items.

One catch: Selling or giving away live animals is not allowed.

For other restrictions, call the fairgrounds office, 762-6043, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 3:01 PM with the headline "New, expanded farmers market planned for Jackson County ."