Wesson Founders Day along with a Crystal Springs flower show and a music festival at Hazlehurst will bring some cabin fever relief to town folk, people throughout Copiah County and other Mississippians who venture into the area on April 30 and May 1.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused cancellation of the events in 2020.
Copiah County tourism director Nora Berch is encouraging area residents and visitors enjoy the events in all three municipalities May Day Cruise Copiah County alternative to staying indoors as COVID 19 vaccines, masking and social distancing have advanced pandemic safety.
Wesson Founders Day starts at the town municipal park on the evening of Friday, April 30, with a concert presented by the Wesson High School band and a performance by dancers led by Sharon Langley.
The Wesson Chamber of Commerce event continues all day on Saturday, May 1, starting a Glow Run/Walk. The run is in memory of two Copiah County police who have died this year -- Deputy Percy Calhoun of the Copiah County Sheriff's Office and Captain Joe Brown, formerly with the Wesson Police Department. It is called a "glow" run/walk because runners have been asked to glow in the dark as they run the route by wearing white shirts with glow necklaces, bracelets, and other items that will be provided, says event planner Stephanie Duguid.
Runners will begin and finish on Highway 51, with signs directing participants along the route. The fees are $25 for the run/walk and $15 for the one mile event. Commemorative t-shirts and medals, beverages and fruits will be sold. Specific details, route, event sign-up are all forthcoming. Contact Duguid at 601-643-8341 for information.
There will be a variety entertainment offered by bands and singers and others throughout the day, and the new Founders Day queen will be presented. Also featured will be:
A kid's play zone with inflatables.
An art walk with locals displaying paintings, sculptures, quilts and other works.
A vendors row with arts and crafts on sale.
Snacks, refreshments and meals.
A car show.
"Our local businesses have been asking about Founders Day plans," says Wesson Chamber president Marilyn Britt. "We think the timing is appropriate to bring people to town for some fun and help stimulate business,"
In downtown Crystal Springs, the Chautauqua Garden Club will be selling flowers and other plants from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. At Hazlehurst, the twelfth annual Rockin’ Railroad Festival will conclude the town's April Arts Month. At the largely music festival, a popular event is the Student Art and Recycled Art contests. These contests will be judged by a panel of judges. Divisions for judging will be: (1.) pre-school, (2.) first through third grades, (3.) fourth through sixth grades, and (4.) seventh through 12th grades. Any area students in K through 12th grades can enter the contest.