Spring is in the air and with it comes one of the greatest of American traditions…baseball.  April 5^th is the opening day for the Mississippi Braves, who are going to be taking on the Mobile Baybears at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi. 

The Braves are going to be looking for slugger, Ernesto Mejia to lead the way this season after hitting .297 with 99 RBI and breaking the team’s single season home run record with 26 homeruns, more than triple any other Braves hitter.  They will also be relying on the pitching of left-hander, Chris Masters, who only pitched one game with the Braves last year, but previously was a 9 game winner for the Lynchberg Hillcats with an ERA of 3.34.  In Masters’ only outing with the Braves last year, he gave up 5 hits and zero runs while striking out 4 in 7 innings.

For more information on the Braves 2012 season or for season tickets, go to: http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t430

The month of March in Mississippi is Arts and Literature Appreciation Month.  Throughout the entire month, multiple locations around the state will be displaying their history of the state by celebrating some of the great artists and authors of Mississippi.  Among some of the things found during these events this month will be, book signings, local crafts and art displays from recognized artists all the way through to art from regional school competitions.

Some notable locations across the state will be:

The Pearl River County Welcome Center – North Picayune, MS

8:00am- 5:00pm

Woodville Hospitality Station – Woodville, MS

8:00am- 5:00pm

Jackson County Welcome Center – Moss Point, MS

8:00am- 5:00pm

The Alcorn County Welcome Center – Corinth, MS

8:00am- 5:00pm

Lauderdale County Welcome Center- Toomsuba, MS

March 12-31, 8:00am- 5:00pm

Mississippi is proud to announce the 34^th Biloxi Street St. Patrick’s Day Parade!  The parade will take place on March 17^th downtown Biloxi, Mississippi. The 34^th Biloxi Street St. Patrick's Day Parade brings thousands together in one of the most celebrated St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Mississippi history.

The Parade will feature bands, military units, flag bearers, bagpipers, leprechauns, a horse-drawn carriage with the parade’s Grand Marshal and Colleen, and colorful outrageous floats tossing Irish trinkets, green beads and doubloons.

Parade goers can also enjoy an Irish Derby which is a 5k run. This is a great way to start off the big Mississippi celebration! For more information you can go to http://hiberniamarchingsociety.com/

Mohitz Entertainment is excited to announce that Legendary Gospel Recording Artist, Rance Allen will be performing at the Meridian Temple Theater on Thursday, March 1.  The show will also feature Evelyn Turrentine Agee, Junior Angels, Billy Davis, and Terrance Davis.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear amazing music that is sure to get the month of March started off to a good tune.

Doors will open at 6pm and the show will begin at 7pm, lasting until 9pm.  Tickets are $25 in advance and are available for purchase at Sams Fashion or the Temple Box Office.   Tickets will be available for purchase at the door for $30.

Bring the whole family out on Thursday for a wonderful evening of legendary gospel music that you won’t want to miss!

There is no doubt that big movie hits like The Help have a massive impact on tourism. Movies inspire tourists to totally immerse themselves in “discovering” and wanting to see the setting. Greenwood and Jackson are building Help-related tourism, and are far from finished. Visionaries in the Mississippi Legislature have been working for years supporting incentives for filmmakers to choose our state as a location. And, it's just good business. Find out more about the Mississippi Film Office.

As black history month comes to an end in Mississippi, there are a few things you don’t want to miss this month!

Making a trip to the Black History Museum of Corinth is the perfect place to become educated about black history this February.  See featured displays of memorabilia and artifacts relating to black history with a focus on religion and education.  Collections include tributes to Mayor E.S. Bishop, Corinth’s first black Mayor; opera singer, Ruby Elzy; local and nationally recognized sports figures, and much more.  The museum is open Thursday and Friday from 11am- 4 pm and other times by appointment.  Admission is free, however donations are accepted.

The Alcorn County Welcome Center will partner with Corinth Artists Guild Director, Sonny Boatman, to observe Black History Month throughout the remainder of February.  The Welcome Center will feature paintings by talented African American artists and the Crossroads Poetry Project will provide talented Storytellers of the African American Community.  Tony Bullard will display one of his recent paintings depicting the historic downtown Corinth shopping venue “Rubel’s Dept. Store,” along with pictures on display from the Crossroads Museum of Corinth, and history books about the history and people of Alcorn County.

Help celebrate Black History Month with Hernando Public Library and “Frederick Douglass- From Slavery to Freedom: The Journey to New York City.”  This exhibit is a feature from The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.  This exhibit is funded by the Elizabeth Entrikin Cooke Foundation and sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

The Natchez Museum of African Art and Heritage  contains exhibits from numerous Natchez related African American historic sites, important citizens and events, and also an exhibit of art that is on permanent loan from the Finley family of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Other exhibits include “The Rhythm Nightclub Fire,” where over 200 African American Natchez citizens were burned or trampled to death, information on the Forks of the Road, and much more.  Enjoy this museum all year long!

The African American Military History Museum in Hattiesburg is celebrating Black History Month in full swing this month and focusing on Black History in Vietnam.  This Saturday at 11am, Hattiesburg’s own, Charles J. Brown, a Vietnam veteran will share his story and war experience with museum visitors; and an exhibit of his personal artifacts will be on display. The museum is open year round, Tuesday- Saturday from 10am- 4pm. 

Don’t miss these wonderful opportunities to further educate yourself on Black History in Mississippi!

Calling all foodies and travelers!  Get ready to pack your bags and journey to the heart of the Mississippi Delta to experience luxurious accommodations, enjoy fine food and Find Your True South, Viking-style!

This Viking Culinary Experience prize package includes round trip airfare for two to Jackson, Mississippi, a rental car and gasoline, one room for a two-night stay for two at the Alluvian Hotel, a cooking class for two at the Viking Cooking School, and a tour of the Viking factory.  The lucky winner will also receive components for your own Viking outdoor kitchen including:  Viking 54" 500 Series Gas Grill, Viking 54" 500 Series Grill Cart, Viking Portable Refreshment Station, Viking 24" Freestanding Outdoor Beverage Center, and Professional delivery and installation service from nearest Viking distributor.  This prize has an estimated value of $18,000- $19,000.

Enter here for a chance to win this sizzling sweepstakes brought to you by the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division and Viking Range Corporation.  See all official contest rules here.  The sweepstake runs through March 31, 2012.  Good luck!

Almost 2 weeks in, the Dixie National Rodeo and Livestock show has already produced a great turn out.  Held in Jackson at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, this rodeo and livestock show is sure to keep you on edge, as bull riders, bronc riders, bullfighters, bulldoggers, ropers, rodeo clowns, and barrel racers compete for the win.

This is your chance to see World Champion cowboys ride the best of Smith, Harper, and Morgan rodeo stock.  So dust off your boots, gather your friends and family, and don’t miss the final week of the rodeo and livestock show.  Events include Livestock Shows, Dixie National Rodeo Dixie National Parade, Dixie National Wagon Train, Miss Dixie National Rodeo Pageant, Mississippi Junior Roundup, Sale of Junior Champions, Dixie National Rodeo Dance, Equine Expo, Farriers Competition, Farm Expo, Rodeo Breakfast, and special live entertainment.

Over the next few days, concerts will be performed for all of the country music fans by Rodney Atkins, Chris Cagle, Eli Young Band, Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice, George Jones, and Jake Owen.

The Livestock Show runs through February 19 and the rodeo runs February 9-15.  Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster. Get yours before it’s too late!

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it is time to start planning what you are going to do with your significant other this year.  Often a commercialized holiday of chocolates and stuffed animals, Mississippi is bringing a whole new meaning to what Finding Your True Love on Valentine’s Day is really about.

The lucky winner of this fantastic sweepstakes will receive a package that will be the pathway to True Romance.  By registering, you are entered for a chance to win a four-day, three-night trip to Mississippi.  The package includes a two-night stay at the elegant Fairview Inn in Jackson, a one-night stay at the Devereaux Shields House in Natchez, and a glorious diamond ring from one of the state’s finest jewelers that is sure to add the sparkle to your relationship that you are looking for.  In addition, you will be provided with a rental car, round-trip airfare, and spending money for dining and fuel.

All entries must be received before midnight on February 14, 2012, so don’t delay!  Click here to enter and for official contest rules!

If you are traveling to Ocean Springs, Mississippi this weekend, you are in luck!  This Saturday, February, 4 will bring many out for the annual Ocean Springs Elks Mardi Gras Parade and the Art Market at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts and Education.

Traditionally the first Mardi Gras parade of the season on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Ocean Springs Elks Mardi Gras parade will begin at 1:00pm on Saturday.  There are currently at least 75 units set for the parade that runs its course through the streets of downtown Ocean Springs which is surrounded by more than 150 shops, galleries, restaurants, and museum.   This event is free for the public and great for people of all ages.

You will find a first class art market at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts and Education on Saturday from 10:00am- 4:00pm.  Artists will set up shop on the grounds and sell their original art.  This event is free to attend.

The weather is projected to be nice this weekend, so gather your friends and family and enjoy these wonderful events together!