Beginning in spring 2025, Earth’s Bounty, a popular farmers market and festival held in downtown Meridian, will have a new home in the courtyard of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience.

For the past 13 years, Singing Brakeman Park on Front Street has been the venue for Earth’s Bounty, held the first Saturday of the month beginning in April and running through November.

Moving up Front Street to The MAX backyard courtyard will improve the experience for longtime Earth’s Bounty customers and, hopefully, will encourage new community residents to check out the market, said Maureen Lofton, chairman of Earth’s Bounty.

“We love our Earth’s Bounty customers. They’re loyal and always ready for new vendors, interesting products and engaging activities,” Lofton said in a press release. “We’re really stepping it up with a new venue that will improve the total experience for our longtime customers and encourage new people to check us out.”

The MAX is a familiar setting for many Earth’s Bounty customers. Occasionally, the festival gets moved to The MAX courtyard due to scheduling conflicts, and the two organizations have collaborated on Night Markets there for several years.

“This is a natural fit for us,” said Penny Kemp, president and CEO of The MAX. “The MAX is invested in supporting the community’s cultural life, and Earth’s Bounty is an important element in downtown’s vibrance. We already collaborate on the Night Markets, so opening our courtyard for First Saturdays makes perfect sense for all of us.”

Lofton said the decision to move Earth’s Bounty from Singing Brakeman to The MAX was made for several reasons, including the ability to provide a better physical environment, easier access to vendors, and convenient, indoor restroom facilities.

Being at The MAX also offers Earth’s Bounty patrons the chance to check out the museum’s state-of-the-art exhibits at no cost with the museum’s free admission First Saturday program, she added. Plus, the move will allow the festival to take advantage of more foot traffic downtown, especially guests of the Threefoot Hotel and the MSU Riley Center.

The farmers market and festival will continue to offer fresh produce, home-baked foods, canned foods, honey, eggs and organic offerings, including candles and lotions. The festival’s live entertainment and children’s activities will also continue, Lofton said.

For the remainder of this season, Earth’s Bounty will continue to be held at Singing Brakeman Park, moving to The MAX staring in April 2025. The market and festival is held from 8 a.m. until noon the first Saturday of the month between April and November.