Make plans to join us at the sixth annual Spring Flea Market at Historic Jefferson College Saturday, April 14.

We are currently accepting applications for booth space. It is a great venue for organizations to sell fundraiser items and promote their cause.

Each year we have a nice mixture of entrepreneurs and charitable organizations offering their merchandise for sale or literature about their group.

Anyone can apply for a booth at the flea market. There is a modest fee of $20 for a for-profit business or individual to have a booth.

That fee is waived for charitable organizations such as clubs, church groups, schools and other civic organizations so there is no cost for a booth.

The flea market is an excellent opportunity for businesses, groups and individuals to sell items to the public and reach a wide audience.

The flea market is free to the public and well-attended.

This year, several additional events are planned. There will be a free concert by Henry Turner Jr. and Flavor from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The band’s Louisiana reggae-funk style is a mixture of contemporary and ethnic rhythms and is appealing and enjoyable.

The Adams County Master Gardeners will host their annual spring plant sale and also an all-day free garden workshop with various seminars and activities.

Co-Lin’s Phi Beta Lambda students will be selling delicious festival food again for those wanting to have lunch or snacks on the beautiful grounds of Historic Jefferson College.

New to the flea market this year will be a children’s area sponsored by S.H.A.R.E. A space jump and face painting are some of the planned activities. As usual, the museum, nature trails and gift shop will also be open.

Research revealed that Jefferson College sponsored agricultural fairs in the 1830s and 1840s. These early fairs gave local citizens an opportunity to display vegetables and fruits, new farm machinery, needlework, quilts and other hand-sewn items.

Today’s flea market continues this early tradition by allowing vendors to display and sell items and crafts of today.

If your nonprofit group would like to sell cookbooks, garage sale items, or other products at the flea market, or if you are a business or individual that would like to reserve a booth, please contact Historic Jefferson College at 601-442-2901 or download the form at www.mdah.state.ms.us and click calendar.

Completed forms should be mailed to Flea Market, PO Box 700, Washington, MS 39190. The deadline for completing a registration form is April 10.

Historic Jefferson College was restored by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in phases completed in 1977 and 1984.

Located in Washington, just four miles north of Natchez, Jefferson Military College, as it came to be known, was the first educational institution of higher learning in Mississippi chartered in 1802 by the first General Assembly of the Mississippi Territory.

It opened in 1811 and closed its doors in 1964. Today, the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open throughout the week, allowing visitors a look at the restored student dormitory, dining hall, kitchen buildings, and other historic sites.

A nature trail passes by Saint Catherine Creek, and a museum and a gift shop are located in the visitor center. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The grounds are open daily sunup to sundown. Admission is always free.

Please phone 601-442-2901 or email hjc@mdah.state.ms.us for more information.

Cheryl Elaine Munyer is branch director at Historic Jefferson College.