Earth’s Bounty Festival and the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Center are teaming up this Saturday, May 4, for a fun day of shopping, crafts and a guitar jam session.
The MAX is hosting this month’s Earth’s Bounty Festival, which will be held in the museum’s courtyard, due to a scheduling conflict with Bud N’ Boilin’ which is taking place Saturday in Singing Brakeman Park.
Earth’s Bounty will be held from 8 a.m. until noon at The MAX courtyard, located on Front Street near the intersection with 22nd Avenue. As always, Earth’s Bounty is free admission and open to the public.
The farmers market, which is held the first Saturday of the month between April and November, will return to Singing Brakeman Park for the first weekend in June.
In conjunction with the move, The MAX is offering free admission for the entire day Saturday. The museum is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“First Saturday activities include a wide range of programs, from art workshops to craft fairs and concerts, that are especially popular,” said Penny Kemp, president and CEO of The MAX. “In deciding to lift regular admission charges on this day, we are signaling our determination to attract visitors from every part of the community, especially families. This includes many who still have not yet explored a wonderful Mississippi cultural attraction.”
In addition, to help celebrate Earth Day, the Keep America Beautiful Commission will award a free membership to The MAX to an Earth’s Bounty patron during the festival.
Available at this month’s Earth Bounty will be the Master Gardeners’ popular plant sale, as well as vendors with fresh produce, including strawberries, cabbage, onions, potatoes, lettuce, eggs and honey.
A few new vendors will be at the market, such as Ferry Best with yeast breads, Spring Greens with a variety of salad greens and Blue Courage with fresh mushrooms.
In honor of The MAX’s current traveling exhibit, “The Guitar and a Changing Nation,” a guitar demonstration and jam session will be held from 10 a.m. until noon in the courtyard.
Mitch Brantley and Meridian Community College’s guitar ensemble, along with skilled guitarists John Fera and Denton Green, will demonstrate different guitars and music styles. The demonstration will be followed by a guitar jam session open to all. Visitors are encouraged to bring their guitars and join in the fun.
In a nod to Star Wars Day, The MAX is hosting a “May the 4th Be With You” program with a Star Wars-styled make-and-take children’s craft activity from 10 a.m. until noon. The activity will take place in a museum classroom and is free.
Also on Saturday, local artist Larenzo Harry will be on hand drawing portraits from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. for those interested.