Events
Late
January-mid-February
Dixie
National Rodeo and Livestock Show
1207
Mississippi St, Jackson, MS 39202
Featuring
some of the best cowboys and the rankest rough-riding stock in the region, this
national rodeo is a favorite among Mississippi locals. But rodeo is not the only
thing happening during this 24-day extravaganza. Nearly every sort of livestock
you can imagine are shown here, and growers compete for top prizes. The prize
animals are then auctioned to buyers seeking the finest beef, pork, poultry and
lamb. Judging and penning competitions are also held, along with performances by
top entertainers. Some events charge admission.
Late
February
Gem and
Mineral Show
Location:
A & I Building, Mississippi State Fairgrounds
Members
provide exhibits and demonstrations and retailers sell all hobby related items.
Early
March
Spring
Outdoors Show
Location:
Mississippi Trade Mart; Jackson, MS.
Exhibits,
seminars and demonstrations on everything outdoors from camping, hiking,
photography, fishing to gardening, canoeing, kayaking and turkey hunting.
Children activities.
Mid-March
Zoolympics
Location:
2918 W. Capitol St.; Jackson, MS
Children
test their skills against those of the animals in such activities as the Zebra
Kick, the Cheetah Relay. Other activities include clowns, space jumps, face
painting and more.
Third
week in March
Mynelle
Gardens Annual Spring Festival & Plant Sale
Location:
Mynelle Gardens, 4736 Clinton Blvd.; Jackson, MS
Celebrate
Mother Nature's floral beauty.
Late
March
National Cutting Horse Association Show
1207
Mississippi St
Jackson,
MS 39202
(601)
961-4000
Entries
from across the US participate in amateur to professional rider competitions.
Late
March
Taste
of Mississippi
Location:
Highland Village; Jackson, MS
A culinary
tasting event featuring 35 of Mississippi's finest restaurants, live music and
both live and silent auctions featuring art and products donated by Viking Range
Corporation. Proceeds from the event go to fight hunger in Mississippi.
Mid-April
Handworks Spring Market
Location:
Mississippi Trade Mart, MS Fairgrounds; Jackson, MS
Arts,
crafts and antiques show. Exhibitors from several states create a festive
shopping atmosphere.
Mid-April
Zoobilation, "Kidsfest"
Location:
2918 W. Capitol St.; Jackson, MS
Annual
celebration for the zoo which involves visits from cartoon and storybook
characters. Local media celebrities and friends come out to join the fun.
Late
May
Jackson
Zoo's Memorial Day Weekend Celebration
Location:
2918 W. Capitol St.; Jackson, MS
Kids of
all ages with enjoy this special weekend with live animals and cartoon
characters! Scheduled time is Sat, 11a.m.-5p.m.; Sun, 1-5p.m.
July 4
Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration
Location:
Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum, 1150 Lakeland Dr.; Jackson, MS
This
family event includes pony rides, train rides, carousel rides, lots of games and
prizes, free watermelon, musical entertainment and other fun activities for
children.
Mid-September
Celtic
Fest
Location:
Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum, 1150 Lakeland Dr.; Jackson, MS
Immerse
yourself in Celtic music and culture at an event that offers educational
workshops and Celtic art. Fun for the entire family includes activities for
children and concessions.
Mid-September
Festival Latino
1808
Spillway Road (Rapids on the Reservoir)
Jackson,
MS 39047
This
annual event is a celebration of Latin American culture. Dancing, food, music
and crafts from Central and South American countries, as well as the Caribbean
Islands. Free activities for kids. Information: (601) 960-8467
Early
October
Mississippi State Fair
1207
Mississippi St, Jackson, MS 3920
(601) 961-
4000
This
popular event, one of the largest state fairs in the South, features something
for everyone. A mile-long midway, livestock shows, 4-H Village, food and craft
booths, and 120,000 square feet of exciting exhibitions make for a weekend of
fun. Free concerts are also planned throughout the event. The fair begins the
first Wednesday of October each year and runs for 12 days. Admission varies
depending on the event.
Early
December
City of
Jackson Christmas Parade
Downtown
Jackson, This annual Christmas parade kicks off the holiday season. A tree
lighting ceremony follows the parade, along with musical entertainment. For
information: (601)960-1084
Throughout December
Olde
Tyme Christmas
Mississippi Heritage Center, Jackson, MS 39205, MS
Agriculture & Forestry Museum
Sports
Veteran's Memorial Stadium
2531 N
State St
Jackson,
MS 39216
(601)
354-6021
This
traditional horseshoe shaped stadium (known to local fans as A.C. Butch Lambert
Field) is the home of the Jackson State University Tigers football team and the
famous Jaycettes. Besides the standard Saturday football games, the 60, 492 seat
facility hosts the high school state football championships. It is also the
place where big name national touring acts play in the summertime.
Coliseum
1207
Mississippi St
Jackson,
MS 39202
(601)
353-0603
(601)
961-4000
Located at
the Mississippi Fairgrounds Complex, the Mississippi Coliseum is one of
Jackson's premier indoor venues. In addition to hosting conventions, public
shows, and musical concerts, the Coliseum is home of the Jackson Bandits
professional hockey team. It has a permanent seating capacity of 6,500, with an
additional capacity for 2,650 temporary seats. Special amenities such as light
and sound facilities, comfortable dressing rooms, and ample parking make this a
top-flight venue for all sorts of special events.
Arts and Entertainment
Alamo
Theatre
333 N
Farish St
Jackson,
MS 39202
(601)
352-3365
The Alamo
theatre opened in 1942 seating 406. It was built in the African-American
professional and trade community of Farish Street. It originally screened
westerns and African- American films and also hosted acts and performing artists
such as B.B King, Nat King Cole and other top African-American performers.
In 1960
the Alamo closed and remained shuttered until 1992. A community effort at that
time completely restored the interior to its original Art Deco style and
refurbished the exterior. The marquee and the vertical sign were restored to
their original design, including all the neon. It took several years to complete
the project, and the theatre re-opened in 1997. It is now hosting all forms of
art, music, dance and theatre.
Mississippi Arts Center
201 E.
Pascagoula St.
8:00 -
5:00, Monday - Friday.
This
cultural center hosts art and cultural organizations, including ballet
Mississippi, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and the Mississippi Museum of Art.
New
Stage Theatre
1100
Carlisle St
Jackson,
MS 39202
(601)
948-3531
(601)
948-3533
New Stage
is one of Jackson's most celebrated cultural institutions. The theater produces
a wide range of plays and musicals, from classic Shakespeare to hit musicals.
The season includes a Christmas show and several children's shows. The theater
showcases original work in its Eudora Welty New Plays Series and in its free
offerings at “Late Nite at New Stage”.
