Jackson Free Press

The Canton Gin Market, located in the Old Cotton Gin across the street from the train depot in Canton, is a mecca for local artisans and musicians.

Fraizer and Susan Riddell started the market seven months ago with the help of Jimmy and Janet Gates, Clifton Jennings and Berry Pace. The market displays crafts from various vendors from around the state. Some of the artwork for sale includes artist Deloris Townsend's plant sculptures, jewelry and tree art by Susan Riddell, birdhouses and woodworks by Janet Gates, ironwork art by Clifton Jennings, and various bottle trees and bottle dragons. The event is scheduled to happen every Saturday, but Riddell says to "call before you haul." The market runs from 8 a.m. to 11a.m. Call him at 601-859-8596.

After the market, Small Town Music hosts an open-mic event. Frazier is a guitar and saxophone player and usually plays with the other musicians who come to play. People can play an original song or their favorite cover at the show—anything from bluegrass to gospel, rock or country. "I wanted it to be more wide open," Riddell says.

The stage is set up outside the Small Town Music store in Canton. "It started out as a minimal setup, but it's turned into a bigger deal," Riddell explains.

Some of the musician regulars include Berry Pace, Tommy Hendricks, Janette Gates and Kevin Broughton. Instruments range from guitars, harmonicas and even a renaissance instrument called the dulcian. People can bring their favorite instrument and jam out but with most musicians. "We are always looking for more drummers," Riddell says. This event starts after the Gin Market and runs from 12 p.m. 
to 4 p.m.

For more information, look for Small Town Music and Canton Gin Market on Facebook.