Jackson Festival’s Return Benefits Scholarship

On September 28, 2013, the International Gumbo Festival is officially returning to Jackson. The event will include a gumbo cook-off, blind judging to name the “International Gumbo Festival Champion”, and fantastic live music throughout the day.

The International Gumbo Festival was established in 1992. The festival moved its home to Smith Park in 1995 and remained there until 2003. Now, ten years later, the festival will return to that same location, the family-friendly green space in the heart of Jackson.

In the past, the festival hosted major acts such as Three Dog Night, David Allan Coe, and Bad Company. This year’s lineup includes The Wild Magnolias, Honey Island Swamp Band, Good Enough For Good Times, Star & Micey, Jimbo Mathus & Tri-State Coalition, and Southern Halo.

The revival of the International Gumbo Festival is exciting for Jackson, especially with such a special beneficiary, the Harold T. and Hal White Memorial Scholarship. 

For tickets and more information on the festival, including cooking team registration information, please visit the official website at www.jacksongumbo.com. Stay connected with the Gumbo Festival at www.facebook.com/InternationalGumboFestival.

Discover more about Jackson, Mississippi at www.visitjackson.com or call 601-960-1891.

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.

Small Town Arkansas Shines During Guy’s Peachfest

A popular summertime crop is celebrated July 12-13 during the 2nd annual Guy Peachfest. This small Faulkner County community has a jammed-packed, two-day event with all sorts of activities taking place in the city park. 

Prior to the actual festival, the Miss Peach Beauty Pageant will be on June 29 at 5pm at the Guy Perkins cafetorium. All the other fun begins on Friday evening, July 12, with a rodeo and a concert by HomeTown Bluegrass. Other performers this year include One Way Road, Doubleshot, and Midnight Express.

Also on the schedule are a Saturday morning pancake breakfast, a 5K run/walk, a parade, a classic car show and shine, a horseshoe tournament, and the peach cook-off. A skeet shoot, a poker run, lawnmower races, a mini-tractor pull, Guy’s Got Talent contest, and a variety of vendor booths and concessions are other festival attractions. Games and other activities for children will be in the Kiddie Korner. Saturday night brings rodeo and musical performances, ending with a fireworks finale. 

Guy is approximately 25 miles north of Conway on Ark. 25, five miles off U.S. 65 north.  

For a list of Peachfest events at Guy visit guypeachfest.com or phone 501-679-4585 to get additional information.

A few weeks later on July 25-28 at Dumas, about 90 miles southeast of Little Rock and 45 miles southeast of Pine Bluff, have a ding-dong of a great time at the 34th annual Ding Dong Days Festival. Watch as the Ding Dong Daddy and Ding Dong Momma are crowned. Join in for the Ding Dong eating contest. The festival also features rides and activities for children, a parade, live entertainment, and a variety of booths and concessions. Phone 870-382-5447 for all the details.

For more information about top events in Arkansas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arkansas.