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VIDALIA, La. — Underneath the two bridges connecting Natchez and Vidalia, where there are scenic views of barges and cruise ships navigating the Mississippi River, is perhaps the perfect location for a vendor market that would bring together the Miss Lou communities and support its small businesses.

That became the vision of Jenny Hinkle of Studio Creative and Danielle Nelson of Bless This Mess. The “Miss Lou Trade Days” was born out of a conversation during one of Hinkle’s art classes inside Studio Creative on Carter Street. They discussed the creation of a community market event to happen two to four times a year, one for each season, that would not only support small businesses but also local charities.

“The hope is to just give not just vendors but the community an event they can really look forward to,” Hinkle said.

The first event is scheduled from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center. The second day of the event is happening right alongside the Cruising for a Cure Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 2. The car show created by Dusty Oaks supports a Relay for Life team and its efforts to raise funds for the American Cancer Society every year.

The Miss Lou Trade Days event will bring together a variety of vendors from a mixture of local and regional markets to set up shop both inside and outside the Convention Center for the weekend, Nelson said.

“Our starting goal is 100 vendors and the plan is to grow that each year,” Nelson said.

The event also supports Hannah’s Heart, a charitable organization and ministry created in honor of Hannah Beth Nugent, who died from a severe strain of influenza at the age of 7 on Dec. 13, 2017. The organization supports young scholars with an annual scholarship and ministers about Jesus Christ both locally and abroad.

“Hannah was one of the young ones in Concordia Parish and her parents are honoring her memory in amazing ways,” Hinkle said.

Miss Lou Trade Days will include a variety of artisans and woodworkers; savory food and sweets vendors such as Big D’s barbecue, Wishes Sweets & Eats and Rolling N The Dough; sellers of local honey and homemade goods; family clothing and gift items from local stores such as Rrus & Co. and Kudzu Cotton; and much, much more.

The first event is also a Holiday-themed market, with ample opportunity for Christmas shopping and featuring a photo opportunity with Santa Claus.

“It’s pretty much everyone you can think of under one roof,” Nelson said. “We’re not just making off of vendors but created this to be a community event, which we’re thirsty for in Vidalia.”

The young artists, who are students of Hinkle’s at Studio Creative, will also have the opportunity to showcase and sell their artwork at the Miss Lou Trade Days event, building self-confidence, exposure and entrepreneurial skills. The students she has currently are ages four to 15 and she is encouraging them all to participate.

“They will have the chance to meet the community as artists and show their art,” Hinkle said. “I have such a huge collection of pieces right now. We’ll have examples of what they’ve made in the studio but I’m also encouraging to make several small pieces that they can sell.”

Hinkle said she is also encouraging some of her illustration students to sit at a booth and draw people at the event.

“Even if it’s on a very elementary or beginner’s level, I would pay someone $5 and let them draw me,” she said. “I started my art business at a vendor show by taking that leap of faith. If they decide to pursue art as a career, it’s a fun way for them to establish themselves.”

There is still time up until the event for interested vendors to fill out and submit an application at missloutradedays.com. Specific fees and vendor type information can be found there, or contact missloutradedays@gmail.com for additional information.

“We would love to bring on more vendors,” Nelson said. “We’re looking for more woodworkers, people who make things or small businesses to showcase on our beautiful riverfront. … We want this event to be for everybody.”