Scott McQuaig

Earth’s Bounty Festival is celebrating its “almost” 13th birthday this Saturday, Oct. 7, by giving away four baker’s dozen of homemade sweets throughout the day.

Held at Singing Brakeman Park downtown on Front Street, Earth’s Bounty will offer extended hours this Saturday and will run from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The outdoor market began more than 12 years ago originally through the Meridian Main Street program and was absorbed by the City of Meridian’s Community Development Department when the former Main Street program ceased to exist.

Since this weekend’s Earth’s Bounty falls between the festival’s 12th and 13th birthdays, organizers decided to celebrate it as a “Baker’s Dozen, Almost!” While a dozen usually refers to a group of 12, a baker’s dozen is a group of 13.

Providing entertainment for Saturday will be singer, songwriter and musician Scott McQuaig, a native of Meridian who has several Billboard hits to his credit. He is scheduled to hit the stage at 10 a.m. and perform through 2 p.m.

For those coming hungry, lunch plates will be available from Hillbilly Dot’s Food Truck, and Robin’s Kitchen will be serving gumbo. Plenty of tables and chairs will be set up, so grab a plate and enjoy the music.

Fall produce should be in abundance with crops like turnips, collards, squash, okra and peas. Since Halloween is just a few weeks away, children will have the chance to paint a pumpkin, then take it home for the holiday.

The Baker’s Dozen homemade treats will be provided by Sweet Treats by Allyson, Unique Treasures, Mama Duck and Robin’s Kitchen. Those same vendors will have plenty of freshly baked items for sale as well, while other vendors will offer soaps, candles, creams and lotions, and a wide array of home canned foods.