Vicksburg’s seventh summer farmers’ market closes for the season Saturday, ending what organizers said has been one of the series’ more successful markets.

“We averaged an estimated 350-400 people each Saturday,” Vicksburg Main Street chairman Kristen Meehan said. “We had a larger variety of things this year. We had vendors offering dairy products and meat, kettle corn and plants and herbs.”

Another new feature was a healthy cooking demonstration by chefs from Lady Luck Casino, who cooked dishes each weekend using produce and other items available at the market.

“Those demonstrations drew a lot of interest from people,” Meehan said.

The summer market opened May 4 at the corner of Washington and Jackson streets, with cooking demonstrations, a health fair and walking tour of the area around the market sponsored by Shape Up Vicksburg. Besides the Saturday market, a Wednesday market was also held from 4 to 7 p.m.

The market began in 2008 to provide a venue for farmers, growers and other merchants to sell farm-fresh products and homemade goods. It expanded to include a fall market in 2012.

It has been certified by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce as part of the Mississippi Certified Farmers’ Market Program, and in 2011 the market received a $47,823 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Mississippi Certified Farmers’ Market Program is a marketing initiative designed to identify and promote markets. Markets participating in the voluntary program receive promotional and technical assistance from the state.

Meehan said the fall market is expected to begin Oct. 4 with the city’s Fall Festival.