One of the great traditions of summer in the True South is to attend an outdoor festival or fair for a taste of the diverse cultural heritage displayed across Mississippi.
Here is a small sampling of the entertaining festivals and fairs you can experience this summer in Mississippi.
The Natchez Food and Wine Festival from July 26 to 28 will take you from one remarkable experience to the next, constantly surrounded with some of the region's most prominent chefs and restaurants, and indulged in the finest of food, wine and entertainment.
Established in 1889, the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia from July 26 to August 23 fosters political, agricultural and social exchanges of knowledge and ideas. Home of the state’s only licensed horse track since 1922 and the nation's largest campground fair, the fair is “Mississippi's Giant House Party®” and has been entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Rides, games, entertainment and hundreds of fair cabins provide a great atmosphere for visiting and discussing the latest political issues.
The Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival in Clarksdale from August 9 to 11 first took place in 1988 and is one of the largest blues and gospel festivals in Mississippi. Celebrated for its authenticity and focus on Mississippi's musical heritage, the event features entertainment by local and nationally known blues and gospel artists and also offers lectures and seminars about music and its unique roots.
On multiple stages at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum, the inaugural Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival on August 16 and 17 will be headlined by six-time Grammy Winner Dr. John and the Nite Trippers and will feature over 30 of the best R&B artists ever assembled in the Southeast, including: Laura Izibor, Mint Condition, Bobby Rush, Denise LaSalle, Zac Harmon an Grady Champion.
There are plenty of festivals and fairs to experience this summer ... and the list above highlights just a few of the main events. Go to www.VisitMississippi.org and click on “EVENTS” to get all of the details and specifics about these events and many more happening all summer in the True South.
For more information about top events in Mississippi take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Mississippi.