Becky Brown, event organizer for the Holiday Extravaganza Gift Show, sets up a display of her fashion jewelry that will be for sale Saturday at Meridian Community College's Tommy E. Dulaney Center on Highway 19N.

Holiday shoppers have an early opportunity this weekend.

The second Holiday Extravaganza Gift Show returns on Saturday and it’s growing with more vendors at a new venue – Meridian Community College’s Tommy E. Dulaney Center on Highway 19N.

Event organizer Becky Brown said bigger and better was the goal for this year’s arts and crafts festival.

“The first Holiday Extravaganza Gift Show was at a much smaller venue with only 22 vendors,” Brown said. “But, it was such a huge success we decided to go with a much larger building, with 70 plus vendors scheduled.”

Brown said shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of arts and crafts, along with home-made baked goods, jams and jellies. Booths will include jewelry, boutique clothing and shoes, T-shirts, cookbooks, seasonal wall hangings, handmade pens, doll clothes and accessories, metal decor, self-defense items, soaps, wallets, frames, vinyl and monogrammed items, phone covers, car tags and much more.

Participating in other festivals inspired Brown to hold one in Meridian, beginning last year at Mulligan’s on Briarwood Road. It, also, provides an opportunity to support small businesses and craft makers.

“My husband Jack, and I have been doing arts and crafts festivals for many years and last year I decided since I make engraved and fashion jewelry, why not start a festival here in Meridian,” Brown said. “If the festival continues to grow, we plan on another one next year.”

If You Go

What: Holiday Extravaganza Gift Show.

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Tommy E. Dulaney Center, across from MCC campus on Highway 19N.

Contact Information: 601-480-1776