Fresh at Five markets arriving early, begin May 19
The Clinton Courier
A summertime favorite, Clinton’s Fresh at Five farmers market is starting its 15th year a few weeks earlier than in the past.
Historically beginning on the first Tuesday in June and continuing weekly each Tuesday through late August, this year’s markets will start their season on Tuesday, May 19. Markets will be held every Tuesday, from 5 until 7 p.m., through the end of July, with the final market falling on July 28.
“Following success the past few years with a pre-season ‘pop-up’ Fresh at Five, we decided to start our 2026 season in mid-May,” said Main Street Clinton Director Tara Lytal. “With Mississippi’s traditional warm spring weather, our summer harvests tend to start rolling in ahead of June; so, we’re going to offer the opportunity for growers to share their bounty earlier.”
“The initial Fresh at Five markets that we started fifteen years ago were focused on giving backyard growers a place to share their excess – and to make a little money, in the process,” said Lytal. “We’ve evolved over the years into a full-fledged, Mississippi Certified Farmers Market.”
“We still encourage people with overflowing gardens to join us! Market booths are $10 per market, with no commitment to participate in a minimum number of markets,” said Lytal.
Typical Fresh at Five markets host fifteen to twenty vendors, with offerings ranging from produce and flowers to home-baked treats and even canned items.
“We routinely have vendors who will offer baked items, specialty seasonings, honey, eggs, grass-fed beef and dairy products, and even locally-roasted coffee,” said Lytal.
The opening market each year traditionally has special events and collaborations, and this year’s is no exception.
The opening market each year traditionally has special events and collaborations, and this year’s is no exception, with – at press time – the Jackson-Hinds Library System bookmobile planning to make an appearance, along with the Main Street Clinton booth making plans to offer marketgoers the opportunity to sample a special sheet cake.
The bookmobile will offer registration for young readers who would like to participate in the library system’s summer reading program. In addition, Registration for the Clinton Challenge, a competition with other cities named Clinton to see which town can read the most from Memorial Day through Labor Day, will also be open. Those who visit the bookmobile can sign up for library cards, checkout of materials, and may enjoy a story time for children.
Fresh at Five markets are held in the 300 block of Jefferson Street, in front of City Hall in downtown Clinton.
With many in the community making Fresh at Five attendance a weekly occurrence, Lytal suggests following the Main Street Clinton Facebook page or joining the Main Street newsletter distribution to keep up with special offerings and a list of vendors who will be participating each week.
For more information or to sign up as a vendor, call Main Street Clinton at 601-924-5472 or visit MainStreetClintonMS.com/fresh-at-five/.
