With Memorial Day Weekend quickly approaching, you may find yourself still looking for plans.  Look no further!   You can find events going on all around Mississippi this weekend that will be great for the whole family!

Gulfport, Mississippi will host the 11th Annual St. Ann’s Catfish Festival and Softball Tournament May 24- 27.  Enjoy great food, live entertainment, carnival rides, children’s games, Bingo, silent auction, $1k and $15k drawdown, fishing rodeo and much more.  Opening ceremonies kick off on Thursday at 6pm and the softball tournament will also begin at that time.  Hours are 5pm- 11pm on Thursday- Friday, Saturday 9am- 11pm, and Sunday 9am- 6pm.  The festival will be held at St. Ann Church grounds and admission is free.



The 30th Annual Gulfport Memorial Day Blowout will be taking place May 25-28.  This 4 day event offers a wide range of events such as five racing class with a prize purse worth over $17,000, a swap meet and flea market, nine bike show classes, live music, and eight other unique events to enjoy.  Most events are free and family friendly, however some events are recommended for adults only. Check out the hour-by-hour schedule here.

Southaven, Mississippi will be the host of the Memorial Day USSSA NIT May 25-27.  Fun for the whole family, you can watch young athletes, age 7-14, from around the country and 2,000 baseball teams compete at Snowden Grove Park for tournament play.  The complex is composed of 17 fields and has become a Mecca for budding athletes of the diamond.  Check out the detailed schedule here.

Party at the Point in Biloxi, Mississippi at the MS Gulf Coast Music, Arts, Crafts and Seafood Festival this weekend, May 25-27.  Headline entertainment features the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Buddy Guy, Sawyer Brown, and Lonestar!  There will be two stages, 19 top national acts performing live and over 100 vendors.  Enjoy some of finest Gulf Coast seafood that Mississippi has to offer as well as arts & crafts vendors, and much more.  Tickets day of show are $20, 2 day passes are $36, and 3 day passes available for $54.  Admission for children under 12 is free with paid adult.  Purchase tickets in advance here for a 10% discount.

The Dennis Day Music Festival will take place on Memorial day in Dennis, Mississippi.  A family friendly event, this festival will have food and live entertainment that everyone will enjoy.  The festival begins at 8am and will be held at Dennis Community Park.

There will be a Memorial Day Parade of Veterans and Memorial Service on Monday in Downtown Vicksburg at the Vicksburg City Auditorium.  The parade will begin at 10am following a route north along Washington Street to Jackson Street. The Memorial Service begins at 11:00 a.m. at the Vicksburg Auditorium. The Wreath Laying Ceremony begins at 12:30pm in the National Cemetery with a motorcade to the cemetery by way of Fort Hill Drive.  The Vicksburg Warren County Memorial Day Committee is the proud sponsor of this memorial.  The event is free and welcomes everyone.

Have a great and safe Memorial Day Weekend in Mississippi with whatever you choose to do!

The 9^th annual Mayfest Arts & Crafts Festival will take place in Olive Branch, Mississippi this Saturday, May 12^th, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.  This annual tradition draws approximately 10,000 visitors each year and features more than 150 vendors including food, games, and musical entertainment.  This is a fun-filled venture is suitable for the entire family.

The day will kick off with the Mayfest 5k Run that begins at 8:00am in Old Town.  The race will be chip timed by Best Times.  You can register online at www.oldtownemayfest5k.racesonline.com before through Friday for $25 and register the day of the race for $30.  Post-race, there will be awards, door prizes, music, food, and fun.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to have fun with the whole family, enjoy some great music, food, and crafts.  

The Sons of the Confederate Veterans in Hernando, Mississippi will conduct a memorial service this Sunday, April 29^th,  to honor those who passed away fighting for the Confederate States during the Civil War. 

Erected in 1875, Hernando Memorial Cemetery is the home to Mississippi’s second oldest Confederate monument, and also has the largest number of Confederate graves in DeSoto County.  There are 100 marked graves and a mass grave for 60 unknown soldiers.

The memorial service is from 2:00pm- 4:00pm and will be held at the Hernando Memorial Cemetery with a picnic immediately to follow across the street at Conger Park.  The event is free and is open to the public.

April is Golf Month throughout the state of Mississippi.  Golf courses all over the state are opening their doors and encouraging people to come and enjoy a round on the links by offering special deals and giveaways all through the month.  So grab your clubs and head to your local course, or take a day trip across the state to one you’ve never played and start working on your swing!  If you don’t have time to play 18 holes, then some other ideas could be to schedule lessons or just head out to the driving range for half an hour.  Golf is a great sport to share with the whole family or one you can play by yourself and unwind from a week at the office.

Golf in Mississippi is divided into five regions throughout the state:

The Hills Region- Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the northeastern corner of the state, it has the highest elevation of any of the regions.

The Delta Region- Defined by its wide open of cotton, it’s remarkably flat and contains some of the most fertile soil in the country, as evidenced by the plush, green fairways and greens.

The Capital/River Region- This region is a large mix of glaring contrasts, from wide-open flatlands, to water-laden fairways and rolling terrain with large undulating greens. 

The Pines Region- A soothing blend of rolling countryside, towering hardwoods and trickling streams.  This region also contains three of the highest rated courses in the state (Old Waverly and the two courses at Dancing Rabbit).

The Costal Region- Offering a wide variety of trees, marshes, lakes and winding streams combined with gently rolling hills, The Coastal Region plays host to several hundred amateur golfers at the International Golf & Blues Experience annually.

For more information on Mississippi’s award winning golf courses, visit our website’s golf page, here.

On March 29^th through April 1^st the McCain Theater of Meridian Community College in Meridian, MS, will be playing host to a stage presentation of one of the most timeless Disney classics, “Beauty and the Beast”.  The show will include all of the classic songs written by composers Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as new songs by Menken and composer, Tim Rice. 

The story follows the heroine, Belle, whose father is captured by a terrible beast.  In exchange for her father’s life, she gives up her freedom and must live in the castle with the beast as his servant. 

The original stage production of “Beauty and the Beast” debuted in 1994 at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in New York City.  The show lasted on Broadway until July 29, 2007 after a run of 5,461 performances and is currently Broadway’s eighth longest-running show in history.

Shows on March 29-31 begin at 7pm

Show on April 1 begins at 2pm

Theater opens approximately 30 minutes prior to show time.

No admittance after the show has started.

Calling all foodies and travelers!  Get ready to pack your bags and journey to the heart of the Mississippi Delta to experience luxurious accommodations, enjoy fine food and Find Your True South, Viking-style!

This Viking Culinary Experience prize package includes round trip airfare for two to Jackson, Mississippi, a rental car and gasoline, one room for a two-night stay for two at the Alluvian Hotel, a cooking class for two at the Viking Cooking School, and a tour of the Viking factory.  The lucky winner will also receive components for your own Viking outdoor kitchen including:  Viking 54" 500 Series Gas Grill, Viking 54" 500 Series Grill Cart, Viking Portable Refreshment Station, Viking 24" Freestanding Outdoor Beverage Center, and Professional delivery and installation service from nearest Viking distributor.  This prize has an estimated value of $18,000- $19,000.

Enter here for a chance to win this sizzling sweepstakes brought to you by the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division and Viking Range Corporation.  See all official contest rules here.  The sweepstake runs through March 31, 2012.  Good luck!

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it is time to start planning what you are going to do with your significant other this year.  Often a commercialized holiday of chocolates and stuffed animals, Mississippi is bringing a whole new meaning to what Finding Your True Love on Valentine’s Day is really about.

The lucky winner of this fantastic sweepstakes will receive a package that will be the pathway to True Romance.  By registering, you are entered for a chance to win a four-day, three-night trip to Mississippi.  The package includes a two-night stay at the elegant Fairview Inn in Jackson, a one-night stay at the Devereaux Shields House in Natchez, and a glorious diamond ring from one of the state’s finest jewelers that is sure to add the sparkle to your relationship that you are looking for.  In addition, you will be provided with a rental car, round-trip airfare, and spending money for dining and fuel.

All entries must be received before midnight on February 14, 2012, so don’t delay!  Click here to enter and for official contest rules!

Find your true love in Mississippi this year!

You are sure to fall in love with Mississippi if you are the lucky winner of this fantastic sweepstakes. This is your pathway to True Romance: register today to win a four-day, three night trip to Mississippi. This prize package is filled with so much Mississippi—the only place in the world to Find Your True South—has to offer.

Experience the True Hospitality of Mississippi's Bed & Breakfast Inns. Your trip includes two nights at the elegant Fairview Inn in Jackson, the state's capital city. Then, you will enjoy a charming one-night stay at the delightful Devereaux Shields House in Natchez, one of the most beautifully preserved historic cities on the Mississippi River.

And to top all off, you will receive a glorious diamond ring from one of the state's finest jewelers.

In addition, you will be provided with a rental car to use to explore and discover everything you're sure to love about Mississippi, along with round-trip airfare and spending money for dining and fuel.

Click here to enter and for official contest rules.

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, could be the most popular shopping day of the year among bargain shoppers.  Stores are opening their doors earlier than ever this year, some even as early as Thanksgiving night. If you are looking to get a good deal and jump start your holiday shopping, follow our guide and get the best bargains in Mississippi.

The Outlets at Vicksburg are opening their doors at 11pm on Thanksgiving night and will be running specials throughout Black Friday until 9pm.  Show up early and you have a chance to win a 42” 3D TV, $250 shopping spree, and an iPad2. See a full list of exclusive store specials and offers here.  This is the perfect shopping venue for anyone who will be traveling to Central Mississippi.

Northpark Mall in Richland will open its doors at 4am on Black Friday, which leaves just enough time to get in few hours of sleep before you start your shopping.  Deals and discounts are offered at many participating stores.

If you are spending your Thanksgiving near the coast, head over to the Gulfport Premium Outlets to start your Black Friday shopping.  Stores will open at 10pm on Thanksgiving night for the Moonlight Madness Sale.  Be one of the first 200 shoppers in line at Shoppers Services and you will receive a free $10 Tanger Gift Card.  The first 100 shoppers in line at 2am will receive a $20 Tanger Gift Card.  Check out the full list of Black Friday specials here.

The Bonita Lakes Mall in Meridian is celebrating Black Friday again this year.  The doors open at 4am and anyone that arrives between 4am-12 noon will receive a free gift.  Some stores such as JCPenny will open as early as 3:30am.  

Wherever you decide to venture for your Black Friday shopping, make sure that you get plenty of rest, pack some snacks, and wear comfortable shoes!  Take a load off your feet at the end of your long shopping day and book your hotel room before it’s too late!

Now that Halloween is over, it is time to start thinking about starting your holiday shopping.  You may be thinking “it’s barely November,” but Black Friday, which traditionally marks the start of holiday shopping, is only 21 days away.   Stop by any of our top picks for the best shopping outlets in Mississippi and start crossing the names off of your list!

 Head over to the Outlets at Vicksburg and find over 20 brand name retailers with discounted prices between 30%-70%.  From Claire’s to Coach, you won’t have a problem finding something for anyone on your shopping list here.  Take a load off your feet at the end of the day and spend the evening at the Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express and get rested for your next day of shopping or activities in Vicksburg.

In Southaven you will find the Southaven Towne Center Shopping Mall located just 6 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee.  This open air shopping center has a wide variety of stores that will appeal to people of all ages.  If you get hungry while you are shopping, stop by one of the many restaurants in the shopping center for some extra energy.   A Hilton Garden Inn is located right next to the mall to make your shopping trip that much easier.

You will find Northpark Mall in Richland, MS, just outside of Jackson.  This mall is a one stop shop for all of your shopping needs.  As one of the premier shopping venues in Mississippi, Northpark Mall has a wide range of stores including anchors such as Dillard’s and JCPenny, jewelry stores, Build-A-Bear, several dining options, and just about anything else that you could imagine. Check out the calendar of events and don’t miss out on your chance to see Santa or a special sale.  If you aren't able to conquer this mall in one day, reserve a room at the nearby Quality Inn North.

The Gulfport Premium Outlets  is the perfect shopping destination for those looking to do some shopping along the coast.  With 70 great stores to choose from, you may have trouble leaving!  Shop till you drop and get a good night of sleep at the Holiday Inn that is right around the corner.

Located in Tulepo, Mississippi, the Mall at Barnes Crossing has over 100 specialty shops and is one of the largest shopping venues in the area.  Your shopping trip will be a breeze if you download their mobile app that was designed to make your shopping experience the best it can be.

If you are into shopping for antiques, then head over to Oxford, Mississippi.  Check out Tommy’s Antique Mall for a large selection of furniture, housewares, and collectibles in a 9,200 square foot facility.  At the Depot Antique Mall you will find an assortment of collectibles including jewelry, stained glass, furniture, and WW1 and WW2 collectibles.  With so many antique venues to choose from, you are sure to find what you are looking for in Oxford. 

The Bonita Lakes Mall is located in Meridian making it the perfect shopping destination for those in the eastern part of the state and close by Alabama.  With a large range of department stores, a movie theater inside of the mall, and a food court, you can knock out your shopping as well as dining and entertainment all under one roof.  All of that fun can wear you out, so spend the night at the close by Country Inns & Suites.

Don’t waste any time getting started on your shopping.  The holidays will be here before you know it, so make this the year you finally get a head start.