Celebrate autumn in the Queen City this weekend with an array of events planned from Full Moon on Fifth to Earth’s Bounty farmers market to FAM JAM on the city hall lawn.

The weekend kicks off early with an introduction to pottery class at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience conducted by Stephen Phillips, a ceramic artist who founded Stephen’s Potter House Productions in Crawford. The four-week class is being conducted in conjunction with a new exhibit at The MAX, “The South’s Most Elusive Artist: Walter Inglis Anderson.” The pottery class will be held each Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. through Oct. 14. The cost to attend is $140 for members and $165 for non-members.

Full Moon on Rails

Full Moon on Fifth returns Friday night from 6-9 p.m. but this time it will be Full Moon on Rails as Meridian’s favorite block party gets relocated from its Fifth Street home due to city improvement work to Front Street by the Meridian Railroad Museum. Organizers say to look for the stringed lights and giant double moons to mark the spot.

A free event showcasing downtown Meridian, Full Moon, sponsored by the Arts & Community Events Society, kicks off at 6 p.m. The three-hour block party will provide themed activities for the kids, live music from The Palindromes and beer and bites, featuring local eateries and local beer distributors. A public exhibition of entries in the 2024 Historic Architecture of Meridian Photo Contest, sponsored by the Meridian Architectural Trust, will be on display with winners of this year’s contest announced.

Earth’s Bounty

A bountiful harvest of fresh produce, including squash, green onions, pumpkins, cucumbers and collard greens, will be available Saturday morning at Earth’s Bounty Festival at Singing Brakeman Park on Front Street next to the Meridian Railroad Museum. The festival will kick off at 8 a.m. and run until noon. Admission is free.

Besides an array of autumn vegetables available for purchase, something new to this weekend’s festival will be Earth’s Bounty’s first-ever seed swap. Spearheaded by Julie Wilkins, the seed swap will give customers the opportunity to “give a packet” and “get a packet” of seeds. Those interested should pre-pack homegrown or unwanted seeds in envelopes or small containers, mark them, and then bring them to the festival to swap with someone else.

East Mississippi Master Gardeners also will be on hand to host their semi-annual plant sale. Some of the variety of plants that will be available include sweetbay magnolia, gardenias, forsythia, hostas, succulents, African violets and a wide variety of houseplants and other perennials.

Terry Cherry and Friends will provide entertainment for this Saturday’s Earth’s Bounty, and younger attendees will have the chance to get creative by painting their own pumpkin to take home with them.

Longtime vendor Robin’s Kitchen will offer homemade lunches for hungry shoppers, while other vendors will be present selling an assortment of home-baked sweets and treats, honey, eggs, bread, soaps and creams.

First Saturday

Down the street at the intersection of 22nd Avenue and Front Street, The MAX will hold First Saturday activities, offering free admission from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. In conjunction with the Walter Anderson exhibit on display, a special “Paint Your Own Walter Anderson” activity will be held from 10 a.m. until noon, where attendees can choose their favorite block print to watercolor for free.

FAM JAM

Then beginning at 10 a.m., a full day of music, good food and fun for the whole family is planned as the Center for Pregnancy Choices presents FAM JAM on the Meridian City Hall lawn until 4 p.m.

Vendors, including artists, craftsmen and bakers, will be on hand with everything from homemade dips and sweet treats to pottery to baby quilts and door hangers. The Carter Foundation, Pine Lake Fellowship Camp, Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian and the Junior Auxiliary of Meridian, among others, will be on hand providing special games and activities for the younger attendees.

Musical entertainment slated to perform throughout the day include Couch in the Woods, Rodrick Fox, Brittanie Campbell, Wandering Pines, Grayson Culpepper, Daniel Houze and more. Food trucks also will be available.

The Michael Jackson Experience

Closing out the day on Saturday will be a tribute show to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, at the Meridian Temple Theatre. “MJ Lives: The Michael Jackson Experience,” starring Barry Dean, is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

Dean, one of the nation’s top Michael Jackson tribute artists, will take the audience on a multimedia journey through Jackson’s iconic career from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his groundbreaking solo career. Dean replicates the legendary entertainer’s music, moves and magnetic stage presence throughout the show.

Tickets to “The Michael Jackson Experience” are still available at the Temple Theatre box office or online at templetheatre.com.