The Hitching Lot Farmers market has existed in Columbus,
Mississippi as an actual farmers market since 1976, and prior to
that, in the earliest days of the town, as a place where people
hitched their horses while visiting the commercial center of the
city.
The first store at this location was called "The Tan Yard"
(1791-1819), and was owned and operated by William Cooper. It was
the main area in Columbus for European and Native American trade.
Cooper's last recorded transaction was the trading of horses with
the Chickasaw Tribe in 1819.
In the spring of 2007, a small group of volunteers began a
movement to revitalize this farmers market and the results have
been astounding. There you will find live entertainment, local
produce including tomatoes, peaches, greens, silver queen corn,
artisan breads, goumet coffee, pasture-raised chicken, farm fresh
eggs,fine local crafts, children's acitivities, cooking
demonstrations and more! There are about thirty growers who
participate regularly in the local market, but the number on any
given Saturday can be as high as 50. The Hitching Lot
Farmers’ Market was recently certified by the Mississippi
Department of Agriculture and Commerce as part of the Mississippi
Farmers’ Market Certification Program. By shopping at a
certified market, consumers can be confident they are purchasing
Mississippi-grown produce from Mississippi growers.
The market is open May through October, on Tuesdays and
Thursdays from 6-10 a.m. and Saturdays from 7-10 a.m. There are
also seasonal events such as the Giant Possum Town Yard Sale in
April and the Hitching Lot Holiday Market in November. The area is
also used for parking during the annual Market Street Festival the
first weekend in May. These are the times I would NOT suggest
looking for the cache. Any other time should prove to be relatively
muggle free.
Cache is a tin mint container, capable of holding a geocoin or a
small lizard. Please bring your own signing implement of
choice.
Sources:
http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M17573
http://www.columbus-ms.info
http://www.cdispatch.com/lifestyles/article.asp?aid=2376
