This April 13^th through 15^th, the 9^th annual Juke Joint Festival will be held in Clarksdale, MS. What is the Juke Joint Festival? It’s a positive event for everyone in Clarksdale. It’s good for families, businesses, musicians and tourists alike. The festival itself combines an international “blues festival” with a community-minded “small-town fair,” creating a strong and memorable event like no other in the universe. It’s organized by the Clarksdale Downtown Development Association (CDDA) and staffed by enthusiastic volunteers. This “half small-town fair, half blues festival” does more than simply entertain attendees -- though it definitely does that, too! It aims to educate and enlighten native Deltans and blues tourists alike through a series of performances, exhibits, and presentations involving music, art, storytelling, film, and children’s events. The event mixes visitors with locals and showcases the economic power of cultural tourism, turning average Deltans into ambassadors for the region. 

Clarksdale is just 90 minutes south of the Memphis International Airport and was once home to such blues greats as: Son House, John Lee Hooker, Junior Parker, Ike Turner, Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, Earl Hooker, Lil Green, Big Jack Johnson and many many others.  This year’s festival is dedicated to Delta blues legend David "Honeyboy" Edwards was a regular performer at Juke Joint Festival.  He passed away on August 29, 2011 at 96 years old.

A family-friendly event, the festival also provides a bus service at night to discourage drinking and driving between music venues. All daytime Saturday events are all FREE while nighttime Saturday events all come for the price of a cheap, $15 wristband (which gets you unlimited rides on the blues shuttle bus and entry to almost 20 nighttime 'juke joint' venues). For more information, event listing and pictures from past festivals go to www.jukejointfestival.com

Or go to http://visitclarksdale.com/ for more information on Clarksdale itself.

As we approach the unveiling of the 150th Mississippi Blues Trail next Tuesday, two new blues trail markers were erected in the Mississippi Delta this week.

On Thursday, February 16, Tommy McClennan was recognized with a marker at W. Broadway and N. Water Streets in Yazoo City. McClennan (c. 1905-1961) was one of America's most successful down-home blues recording artists during the period when he recorded 20 singles for the Bluebird label (1939-1942). Among McClennan's most notable numbers were “Bottle It Up and Go,” “Cross Cut Saw,” “Travelin’ Highway Man,” “Deep Blue Sea Blues,” “Whiskey Head Woman” and “New Highway No. 51 Blues.” McClennan, famed for his raucous, uninhibited singing and guitar playing, frequented the Water Street section of Yazoo City when he lived on the nearby J. F. Sligh plantation.

Pianist, vocalist and songwriter Mose Allison also received a blues trail marker in his hometown of Tippo. Allison performed at the Bologna Performing Arts Center at Delta State University earlier this week and was the recipient of the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Arts Commission during a ceremony in Jackson. Allison was born on November 11, 1927, in his grandfather’s farmhouse on the island in Tippo Bayou, about three miles from town. In 1956, Allison moved to New York City, where he soon achieved acclaim as a jazz artist. His music always retained a strong blues influence though, and in addition to covering the songs of Sonny Boy Williamson No. 2, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, Allison authored blues standards, including “Parchman Farm.”

Join us as we celebrate the unveiling of the150th Mississippi Blues marker on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, honoring Furry Lewis. The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the intersection of Lamar Street and Carrollton Avenue in Greenwood, Miss. A reception will be held at the Crystal Grill immediately following the unveiling ceremony.

On Saturday, January 28, 2012, “Appetite for Jackson” kicks off from 2-9 p.m., in The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The inaugural food festival celebrates the City of Jackson and its cultural and culinary excellence.

The event will feature live music and showcase an array of local restaurants and their culinary delights, including Parlor Market, Underground 119, Peaches, Lumpkins Barbeque, the King Edward Grill, The Palette Café by Viking and many more. Live music from local bands will rock out The Art Garden throughout the day. Admission is free; food plates from participating restaurants are available for $5. Craft beer will be available for sale from Capital City Beverages.

The Travel Channel’s show, “Appetite For Life,” will feature the festival on an upcoming episode. The show’s host, Andrew Zimmern, will be appearing at the festival and at various VIP events.

Event sponsors include: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi, Mississippi Museum of Art, Downtown Jackson Partners, WLBT, Underground 119, Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau and Cathead Vodka.

For more information on this event, visit the official website, become a fan on Facebook or follow the event on Twitter.

Fall in Mississippi is an outdoor experience all its own with fall festivals, flea markets, arts and crafts fairs and of course the Mississippi State Fair. Shop crafts from local artisans, gander at unique and vintage cars and celebrate history, music and more this Fall!

16th Annual Downtown Vicksburg Fall Festival
September 30 – October 1, 2011
Downtown Vicksburg, MS



 Friday night, September 29, Bricks and Spokes riders will be welcomed Downtown for packet pick up. Whether you are a rider or not, come down beginning around 7:00 p.m. and enjoy a Fall concert outdoors with 2 great bands! Rewind performs at 7 p.m. followed by entertainment at 8 p.m. The fun will continue to Saturday with the Bricks and Spokes ride beginning at 8:00 a.m. followed by a day full of Daytime Exhibitions and music by some great local musicians!

 

29thAnnual Old Court House Flea Market
October 1, 2011
Old Court House Museum/Court Square, Vicksburg, MS

 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. rain or shine. Over 200 arts/crafts and food booths. Vendors are to set up on the square at street level around the Old Court House. Arts/crafts booths are 10' by10' and $50. Food Booths are $60. Last year's attendance was over 3,000.


Green Market at the Depot
October 1, 2011
Care Honor Garden, Fillmore St. Corinth, MS

 Everything is homemade, home-baked or home-grown within a 100 mile radius of Corinth. Arts and crafts at its best; entertainment all day. Dress your pet for the Pet Costume Contest. Spend some time at the Historic Corinth Depot. 

34th Annual Zonta Club Art &Crafts Festival
October 1, 2011
Downtown Plaza, Pascagoula, MS

 This Mississippi event is Pascagoula's premier arts and crafts show for the year. Zonta's show will feature live entertainment, food and exhibit booths. If you are looking to fill your Christmas list, come to Zonta and take advantage of the countless types of handmade arts and crafts. Artisans will be on hand to explain their crafts. 

Rockin' Railroad Art and Music Festival
October 1, 2011
Hidalgo Park/Historic Downtown Hazlehurst, MS

Festival includes a classic car show, live music, kid's zone, arts & crafts vendors, art exhibit and contest, concessions and more.

15th Annual Cruisin' the Coast
October 2-9, 2011
Various stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast



 Cruisin' The Coast has become a major tourism boom for the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the biggest special event in the state of Mississippi. Car enthusiasts from over 35 states and Canada drive to the Mississippi Gulf Coast once a year to showcase and to cruise a variety of antique, classic and hot rod automobiles at designated stops along the Coast in Ocean Springs, Biloxi, D'Iberville, Gulfport, Long Beach, and Bay St. Louis. 


Mississippi State Fair
October 5-16, 2011
Mississippi State Fairgrounds, Jackson, MS

Starting the first Wednesday in October every year, the Mississippi State Fair is one of the South's major fairs with a mile long midway and free major entertainment. If you are not into the amusement park-style rides, check out the Trade Mart for world-class vintage cars or the arenas for livestock shows. 


Fifty Nine Twenty Music Festival
October 8, 2011
Singing Brakeman Park, Meridian, MS

Performances by North MS All Stars, Cary Hudson, Wes Lee, Cheryl LuQuire, Sonny Landreth and Lightnin' Malcolm. This year’s event will benefit the Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter. Since 1981, Care Lodge has touched thousands of lives in the community. In fact, Care Lodge provides services for almost 1,200 shelter and non-shelter clients each year. In addition to this 9 county service area, Care Lodge also benefits communities of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. This year marks 30 years of service for the Care Lodge.

OctoberFest
October 8, 2011
DeWeese Park, Downtown Philadelphia, MS



Arts and crafts, children’s games, food, music and more. An annual event at the DeWeese Park in historic downtown Philadelphia. Family fun filled event. 

59th Harvest Festival
October 8, 2011
44 Le Fleur Circle / Cain-Patterson Gymnasium, French Camp, MS

An auction of handcrafted items including quilts, woodcrafts, ironwork and other items highlights this day in the fall. Other activities include sorghum molasses processing, bluegrass music, craft demonstrations, dinner on the grounds, concessions and a country store.

St. Rose de Lima Fair
October 8-9, 2011
301 South Necaise Ave. Bay St. Louis, MS

Arts and crafts booths, food booths, entertainment and much more. Fun for the entire family at this Mississippi fair.

Octoberfest
October 14-15, 2011
Hwy. 8, on the Greenstrip in downtown Cleveland, MS


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More than 15,000 spectators flock to Cleveland's tree-lined town center to experience Octoberfest, the second Friday and Saturday of October, with its famous barbecue contests, arts and crafts, antique car shows and live music. Octoberfest Cleveland MS is a sanctioned Memphis in May event, which means serious barbecue. Kids rides and games. Join us on Cotton Row for the street dance on Friday evening during Octoberfest Cleveland MS. 

The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race
October 14-16, 2011
Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens, Natchez, MS

Starting with "Balloon Glow" Friday night, and continuing through Sunday afternoon, the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race is the most colorful annual event in Natchez, with gorgeous hot air balloons filling the skies over the Mississippi River as local and national talent fills the air with live music at Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens. 

Bukka White Blues Festival
October 14-15, 2011
On the banks of the Tenn-Tom Waterway, Aberdeen, MS

Non-stop blues, great food, arts & crafts, and exotic animal show; plus a free guitar workshop. Let your pampered pooch strut their stuff in Rover on the River - pet costume parade and contest. Smell those ribs cooking all day for the Ribs on the River barbecue contest. Once they are judged you can dig in and choose your favorite. 

21st Annual Gautier Mullet & MusicFest
October 15-16, 2011
Downtown Gautier on Dolphin Drive, Gautier, MS

 Great shopping for unique hand crafted items and delicious Gulf Coast food! Learn about the Gulf Coast in the "hands on" Heritage & Education Area, and kids will have a blast in the FREE Kids area! Enter the famous Mullet Toss Contest - you've definitely gotta see how far you can throw a mullet! There's a Car & Motorcycle Show on Saturday. Bring your folding chairs & your dancing shoes - there's 2 entertainment Stages to keep your toes tapping - Fun for All Ages! Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 9am-5pm. Spectators Free!

90th Annual Jackson County Fair
October 16-23, 2011
Jackson County Fairgrounds - 2902 Shortcut Rd., Pascagoula, MS

The Jackson County Fair held annually at the Fairgrounds in Pascagoula is the best free fair in the South. The Jackson County Fair features food booths manned by non-profit church organizations, a midway stocked with rides for all ages, arts and crafts made by local citizens, live entertainment, business displays and a pavilion stocked with prize winning animals from the local FFA organizations. Sunday opens @ 4pm; Monday-Thursday @ 11am; Friday @ 10am; Saturday @ 11am; Sunday @ 1pm 

The Great Delta Bear Affair
October 22, 2011
Downtown Rolling Fork, Courthouse Square, Rolling Fork, MS

 Food, Fun, Games, Seminars, Fantastic musical entertainment and more. Continuous musical acts, a tour of nearby archaeological sites, a bird walk, a 5K run/walk, a 1-mile children's run, seminars, book signings by Mississippi authors, a chainsaw wood carver, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, Teddy Roosevelt and Holt Collier impersonators and lots of friendly folks highlight this first class festival.

25th Dancing Rabbit Festival
October 22, 2011
Downtown Macon, MS

 Fun for the whole family! Entertainment, pony rides, inflatables, petting zoo, basketball shoot and much more! Don't miss the 1st 2mile run/walk, the Cutest Dog Contest and the Cutest Baby Contest! 4th Saturday of October: Oct 22, 2011. A wonderful way to spend a fall Saturday in East Mississippi at the Dancing Rabbit Festival! 



Tunica's 2011 Delta Day Festival
October 29, 2011
Rivergate Park; Downtown Tunica, MS

This Mississippi festival takes place in historic downtown Tunica. Enjoy arts and crafts vendors, food, children’s games, live blues music and antique car show. 

Downtown Vicksburg Halloween Treats on the Streets & Costume Contest
October 29, 2011
Downtown Vicksburg, MS

Join us in Downtown Vicksburg for the annual Treats on the Streets Halloween event on Saturday, October 30th. Come down in your best costume and trick or treat with your favorite Downtown merchants. Watch for more updates!

This week, the Mississippi Blues Trail unveiled its 140th marker. Vicksburg’s own Blue Room was recognized with the historic marker, which was the fifth for the Vicksburg area. The unveiling took place at 601 Clay Street overlooking the Catfish Row Children’s Art Park in Vicksburg. Entertainment was provided by Vicksburg local blues musicians Osgood and Blaque.



One of the most storied night spots in the South, the Blue Room, which stood at 602 Clay Street, was operated for more than thirty years by flamboyant owner Tom Wince Jr. Ray Charles, Fats Domino, B. B. King, Dinah Washington, Louis Armstrong and Little Milton were among the many stars who played here. In the 1940s and ‘50s, Wince was the most important blues promoter in Mississippi, booking bands through a network of nightclubs and halls across the state and in Louisiana. 

Members of the Wince family were on hand to receive the honor. Tom Wince died in 1978.



The Mississippi Blues Trail is a museum without walls taking visitors on a musical history journey through Mississippi and beyond. The trail started with the first official marker in Holly Ridge, the resting place of the blues guitarist Charley Patton, and winds its way to sites honoring B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Son House and others. Out-of-state markers are located in Chicago; Memphis; Los Angeles; Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Ferriday, Louisiana; Helena, Arkansas; Rockland, Maine; Grafton, Wisconsin; and Tallahassee, Florida.

For more information about the Mississippi Blues Trail, visit http://www.msbluestrail.org/.

On Monday, August 29, the world lost another great blues legend when David “Honeyboy” Edwards of Shaw, Mississippi, passed away in his Chicago home. The GRAMMY-winning artist was known to be the oldest surviving Delta bluesman.



Honeyboy achieved many accolades during his career, which included induction to the Blues Hall of Fame, several GRAMMY Awards, the Mississippi Arts Commission's Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award and many other notable recognitions. However, one of his fondest memories was being honored on the Mississippi Blues Trail on April 13, 2007.

What’s a summer without watermelon? More importantly, what’s a summer festival without watermelon? Celebrate a true southern Mississippi festival this summer at the Mississippi Watermelon Festival and eat all the delicious, ripe, world-famous Smith County melons you want! With the exception of the mouth watering watermelon, enjoy live entertainment from artists like Andy Griggs and Katie Arminger, arts and crafts and tons of family fun. Try your watermelon seed-spitting skills at the watermelon seed-spitting contest or try your hands at the greased watermelon race and watermelon eating contest. An antique car show and motorcycle show round out this year’s activities.

So, make plans to bring the whole family, sit in the shade and enjoy the Mississippi Watermelon Festival July 15-16 in downtown Mize at City Park. No need to pack the watermelon!

Opening with two panel discussions featuring family members of blues legends Robert Johnson and Howlin' Wolf, the Mississippi Juke Joint Stage kicked off the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival with a bang. This year's festival, "Sweet Home Chicago: A Centennial Celebration of Robert Johnson," is commemorating the legendary bluesman June 10-12, and Mississippi is here to supply the sweet sounds of authentic Delta Blues and the hospitality of the True South all weekend long.



D'Mar and Gill hit the stage after the panel discussions and rocked an elbow-to-elbow crowd. Despite cloudy skies, spirits were high and the sound of the Mississippi blues were sweet. Nora Jean Bruso and Super Chikan wrapped up the afternoon set before Fernando Jones & My Band closed out the first night at the Mississippi Juke Joint stage.

But the night was far from over... Eddie Cotton jumpstarted a night of Mississippi music on the Petrillo Main Stage. As Eddie and other Mississippi artists warmed up the crowd for the official "Tribute to Robert Johnson" performances, guests enjoyed down-home eats at the Mississippi tent. After all, what's a True South celebration without hearty, homestyle Southern cuisine?!





What a night! Even more great music Saturday and Sunday...

Hey Elvis fans! Downtown Tupelo comes alive with activities for Elvis fans far and wide this weekend for the annual Tupelo Elvis Festival! In its 13th year, this weekend boasts tons of entertainment and fun featuring live music Friday and Saturday nights as well as a Sunday afternoon lineup. The weekend includes a parade, 5K run, beauty pageant, carnival, movie poster exhibit, visits to Elvis birthplace (which are free with admission to the event), children’s activities, a gospel concert, tribute artists contest and a bike race. If you are even the slightest bit an Elvis Presley fan, this is the place to be this weekend! There are several new additions to the festival and to the district this year; new shops and restaurants and more activities.

Hilton Garden Inn® is the Official Hotel for the Tupelo Elvis Festival. Click here for a list of Tupleo hotels!  

Come on down to Tupelo, MS!

Governor Haley Barbour and First Lady Marsha Barbour will host the fifth annual Mississippi celebration of its GRAMMY® legacy at 7:30 p.m. June 7, 2011, at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi. The list of performers and honorees include 15-time GRAMMY winner B.B. King, GRAMMY nominees North Mississippi Allstars Duo, Benjamin Wright, Jimbo Mathus, Shannon McNally, Jay Dean and the Tropical World of Tango and host Joey Lauren Adams.  

The GRAMMY® event is open to the public. Tickets are $50. For tickets click here.