BAY FEST
Bay Springs will be host to visitors from around the south for the 15th Annual Bay Fest. The show opens on Wednesday with a carnival then delights visitors with a Thursday night "Bull Bash" rodeo. Friday and Saturday, the downtown is covered with arts and crafts vendors and music shows are held both nights. Call 601-764-4112 for more information.
Bay Fest began in 1991 as a celebration at the end of the Desert Storm conflict to recognize local citizens and other Mississippians serving in the armed forces. The first festival was a success and now in its twelfth year, the event has matured into a first-class, four-day festival for the purpose of showcasing the community to tourists, businesses and industry and building self-esteem and pride among local citizens.
Now well established, the festival has become a "must-see" event for visitors to east central Mississippi. Attendance at the festival climbed throughout the 1990's and last year saw an estimated 40,000 visitors to our little city during the four days of fun. Children and adults alike delight in the carnival with its many rides, the duck race or the heart-racing thrill of airplane and helicopter rides.
Souvenirs are available as local as artisans from around the state gather to display their arts and crafts for sale in the many booths. For the additional pleasure of the crowd, free musical entertainment is provided on Friday and Saturday nights.