2010 Spring Festival Guide
 
Got cabin fever? Good, ‘cause our events editors have found fun and funky festivals scheduled every weekend in March and April.
 
 
March 6, Greenwood
Mississippi Blues Fest
Leflore County Civic Center
The organization dedicated to the Delta blues scene has scored a bona fide line up this year––Lebrado, O.B. Buchana, Denise LaSalle, Wendell B and Wilson Meadows.
(662) 453-4065
www.mississippibluesfest.com
 

Italian Festival of Mississippi March 12-13, Cleveland

March 12-13, Cleveland
Italian Festival of Mississippi
Bolivar County Expo Building
A relatively new 2-day festival, but gaining more and more momentum every year, this festival brings together the best of Italian cuisine, and uber-competitive bocce ball tournament, a nationally-sanctioned spaghetti eating contest (not to be missed!) and hot music entertainment.
(662) 843-2712
www.italianfestivalofmississippi.com
 
March 13, Tupelo
Minerva Music Festival
Ballard Park
Elvis may still be king, but the alternative music scene really rocks at Tupelo’s Minerva Festival. Headlining this year are Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Saving Abel, Gotham Road and Pop Evil.
www.minervamusicfest.com
 
March 20, Olive Branch
Family Farm Fest
Our Family Farm
An economical way to celebrate the first day of Spring! Five bucks at the Neergaard’s family farm gets you lessons on modern farms and equipment, hayrides, other farm activities, and it all goes to support local chapters of Future Farmers of America. From 1-5 p.m.
(662) 893-7888
www.ourfamilyfarmtours.com
 
March 20, Jackson
Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade
Corner of Court and State
If you have a friend with a float, be sure to secure your spot to this hip downtown parade. Not lucky enough to hitch a ride? Be sure to get there early, decked in green, to land the best spot for catching the coveted beads. Also, don’t forget to check out the Sweet Potato Queens on display––a St. Paddy’s Day Parade tradition! Starts at 1 p.m.
(601) 948-0888
www.halandmals.com
 
March 26-27, Starkville
Charles Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival
Mitchell Memorial Library
Think Gershwin, Porter and Berlin channeled by today’s great rag-time pianists like Frederick Hodges, Terry Waldo, Sonny Leyland and 18-year-old prodigy Adam Swanson.
(662) 325-2559
http://library.msstate.edu/ragtime/festival
 
April 9-10, Tupelo
Up, Up and Away Balloon Festival
Ballard Park
On the heels of a successful first 5K fundraiser run, Tupelo Christian Prep is hosting Tupelo’s first ever hot air balloon festival.
www.upupnawayfest.info
 
April 10, Tupelo
Presley Heights Azalea Festival & Tour
East Tupelo Presley Heights annual Azalea Festival includes area yard tours of beautiful azaleas, live entertainment, food, arts and crafts and children’s activities.
1-800-533-0611
www.tupelo.net
 
April 10, Corinth
Crossroads Festival and Chili Cook-off
Crossroads Arena
Last year a large number of local teams competed for top chili honors while the International Chili Society red chili, chili verde and salsa competitions drew competitors from across the country seeking a taste of victory and a ticket to the world championships!
www.crossroadsfestival.corinth.net

World Catfish Festival April 10, Belzoni

April 10, Belzoni
World Catfish Festival
Beauty queens at a catfish fry? Since 1976, Belzoni has celebrated the farm-raised fish that forever put them on the map. Expect lots of festival fare, fun for the children, arts and crafts galore, and the best people watching this side of the Mississippi.
(662) 247-4838
www.catfishcapitalonline.com
 
April 15-17, Tunica
Rivergate Festival
Worth starting your weekend early is Crawfish Alley’s Mudbug Fest on Thursday night. And the entertainment keeps coming with Crossin Dixon on Friday night, the Tunica Idol Contest and the new “Tour de Tunica” family bike race on Saturday. 
(662) 363-2865
www.tunicachamber.com
 
April 16-17, Vicksburg
Riverfest
Country music star Jason Michael Carroll is headlining Saturday night but don’t miss our local favorites the Tip Tops on Friday and the Mayhem String Band on Sunday!
www.riverfestms.com

Juke Joint Festival April 16-18, Clarksdale

April 16-18, Clarksdale
Juke Joint Festival
Last year’s stats tracked 17 foreign countries, 44 U.S. states (plus D.C.) and 47 Mississippi counties that flocked to Clarksdale for this rockin’ festival. It’s authentic blues, lip-smacking food and creative crafts at their finest in a street-corner-type atmosphere. Pure fun.
(662) 624-5992
www.jukejointfestival.com
 
April 16-18, Jackson
Crossroads Film Festival
Movie buffs and critics take note. Over 80 films will be screened from every genre, but the key is in the all-access pass that gets you in the workshops, arts exhibits and music gigs.
(601) 510-9148
www.crossroadsfilmfestival.com
 

Crosstie Arts Festival April 17, Cleveland

April 17, Cleveland
Crosstie Arts Festival
Located on the ground of the Cleveland courthouse, this festival is one of the longest running arts festivals in the state, boasting all handmade items, fabulous music and local cuisine. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
www.crosstie-arts.org
 
April 17, Starkville
Cotton District Arts Festival
This festival draws a crowd with ’09 attendance reaching nearly 28,000. Art villages, juried art show, food competitions, local restaurant vendors and live music stages, all located throughout Starkville's historic Cotton District. We’re dying to check it out!
(662) 324-3080
www.starkvillearts.org
 

April 23-25, Sandestin
Sandestin Wine Festival
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
One of the best festivals on the Coast at with the pouring of more than 600 wines, new Culinary Pavilion and Friday night tasting seminars.
1-866-91-BEACH
www.sandestinwinefestival.com 
 
April 23-25 and April 29-May 2, New Orleans
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Fairgrounds Race Course
Presented by Shell, this massive 10-day feast of music and food boasts a bigger lineup then we have space. A little tease… Pearl Jam, Simon & Garfunkel, Van Morrison, B.B. King, just to name a (very) few.
www.nojazzfest.com
 
April 23-25 and April 30-May 2, Ridgeland
KidFest!
Freedom Ridge Park
A real family event that includes top acts, backyard circus, children’s activity tent, clowns, music, food and much more for the young and young at heart.
(601) 853-2011
www.visitridgeland.org
 
April 24, Oxford
Double Decker Arts Festival
The Square
Voted Best Large Festival in Mississippi in 2009 by the Mississippi Tourism Association. Attendance is mandatory if you’re an art phene or food lover.
(662) 232-2367
www.oxfordcvb.com/doubledecker

Sante South Wine Festival April 24, Jackson

April 24, Jackson
Sante South Wine Festival
The Gardens at 1 Jackson Place
More than 30 vintners of fine wines from across the globe show up to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Bring your wallet––there are some incredible trips for wine lovers on the auction block. From 7-10 p.m.
www.santesouth.com
 
April 29-May 2, Greenville
The Time Has Come
The original festival was hosted in 1982 and brought Greenville’s most renowned artists, writers and musicians home for a celebration of the arts. The rebirth of the festival comes with much anticipation and will honor artists like Steve Azar, Bill Beckwith, Eden Brent, Curtis Wilkie and Julia Reed in a weekend-long celebration.
(662) 332-2246
www.thetimehascome2010.com
 
April 29-May 2, Tupelo
Blue Suede Cruise
In 2003, the folks in Tupelo decided to host an event that combined their love of fine automobiles with Rock and Roll (Hello, Elvis?). While you’re there plan to visit the 120,000 square foot Automobile Museum.
1-800-533-0611
www.bluesc.com