If you don’t think the area offers enough fun and entertainment events, you must have missed the early weeks of February when Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce (BLCCC) and Lincoln County Civic Center (LCCC) started staging their year-long events.
In Brookhaven, the Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Jazzed Up, which seeks to create a New Orleans style Mardi Gras festival experience for visitors to the downtown area, managed to preserve the musical component of the event from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, as weather washed out Bounce houses, a 360-degree photo booth, train rides, face painting, among other outdoor activities, and a second line parade in which walkers, some with their pets and strollers, and bikers were scheduled to fall in behind the Ole Brook Mardi Gras Band from Brookhaven High School to march from the West Cherokee Street Post Office to conclude the event.
An assortment of jazz bands lined up by former Co-Lin band director Shaw Furlow, now a local music events promoter, moved inside Recess 101, a venue for performing artists, and continued to provide musical entertainment in the spirt of Mardi Gras from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.. The bands included the National Guard 41st Army Jazz Band, Eddie Pope Jr., the Barry Leach Trio, the Raphael Semmes Quartet and the Southeastern Louisiana University Jazz Ensemble. Business specials with Mardi Gras themes also continued despite the rain: Betty’s Eat Shop Happy Hour. Downtown Shoes discounts and treats Magnolia Blues BBQ Company brunch. Mississippi Ice Daquiri Shop 20-oz. King Cake daiquiris. Southern Oaks Properties jambalaya in Railroad Park Tortilla Soup 2-for-1 top shelf margaritas, and 50 percent off queso or guacamole. United Country McDaniel Gray Realty King Cakes.
If Mardi Gras fun wasn’t your thing, Lincoln County Civic Center offered a couple of alternatives:
A spectacular laser light show on February 2 and 3. Accompanied by rock and popular, an array of lasers lit up the evening skies with a rainbow of colors designed to dazzle onlookers.
Clowns, tightrope walkers and motorcyclists, among other circus acts delighted kids and adults with child-like hearts alike on February 8 in a fun show produced by All America Circus at the Civic Center.
Between BLCCC and LCCC, more than 40 shows, concerts, festivals, fun events and other activities offer locals ways to relax, unwind, reduce stress levels alone or with friends and family.
The BLCCC tourism council, with funds from Brookhaven’s two percent hotel-motel, plans and implements free events guided and staffed by the Chamber’s Katie Nations and Jillian Ricceri.
LCCC produces its own events and books others offered by entertainment companies for the public and private parties, such as weddings. At LCCC, Chaston Bullock and a staff including Diane Ryan, Annie Johnson and Ronda Ballard, who focuses exclusively on baseball, coordinate events that are both free and require ticket purchases. Including private parties, they work on more than 100 events throughout the year.
The BLCCC and LCCC events calendar during the year ahead includes:
March 2.
Car show sponsored by BLCCC, which featured 299 vehicles in parking lots along railroad avenue and on Cherokee Street. $10 pre-registration. $15 same-day registration. For information: 601-233-8620/601-833-1411.
March 16.
Crawfish & Christ Festival. Gospel music and food at Lincoln County Livestock Arena (1096 Belt Line Drive NE, Brookhaven). For tickets, visit narrowpathms.com.
April 6.
Making Mississippi Gala banquet at LCCC spotlighting state and local artists and entrepreneurs.
March 20.
BLCCC Mississippi Economic Council luncheon at Mitchell’s. Features Director of State Economic Council as speaker.
March 26-June 30.
LCCC baseball season at the Sports Complex with regular season games of local leagues Monday-Friday and weekend tournaments with teams from the Baseball Players Association and Grand Slam.
April (TBA).
BLCCC Legislative breakfast featuring report on actions by State Legislature from State Representatives Becky Currie and Vince Mangold and State Senator Jason Barrett.
May 8.
Bubble Magic Show at LCCC
May 10.
BLCCC summer concerts start in Railroad Park.
June 14.
BLCCC summer concert.
June 14 & 15.
LCCC’s Ole Brook Rodeo. Participants from throughout the state and region compete for awards and to qualify for other rodeo competition.
June (TBA).
BLCCC Girls Night Out, including dinner and shopping in downtown Brookhaven. Ticket sales start in May.
July 4.
Fireworks display at LCCC sponsored by State Representatives Becky Currie and Vince Mangold and State Senator Jason Barrett.
Bayou Independent Wrestling competition at LCCC.
July 12.
BLCCC summer concert.
August 9 & 10.
Christian Motorcycle Association banquet and conference at LCCC.
Fall (TBA)
BLCCC concert series.
September 27 & 28.
LCCC Wildlife Expo features local, state and out-of-state vendors with products for hunters, fishermen and outdoorsmen.
October 4 & 5.
50th BLCC Ole Brook Festival. Food and fleas.
October 15 &15.
Junior Auxiliary Shrimp Bowl fundraiser at LCCC. Take home shrimp dinners.
October 25 & 26.
Warriors of the Badge feature poker run and car show in event at LCCC honoring local police officers killed in the line of duty.
November 11.
Veterans Day ceremony led by local legislators at LCCC.
November 29.
BLCCC Christmas Tree Lighting. More than 500 persons attended the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. lighting of a 30-foot tree last year.
December 1-14.
Classic Kids consignment show at LCCC. A big garage sales for shoppers.
December 5.
BLCCC Christmas Parade rolls at 5:30 p.m.
December 18 & 19.
Kids R Us Day Care/Pre-School Awards at LCCC.