Meridian resident Becky Glover can’t get enough of live music, food and socializing.

And Glover and others like her will have plenty to savor during the coming months, as Mississippi’s prime festival season kicks into high gear.

East Central Mississippi hosts a variety of music and other cultural festivals, including the 59/20 Festival, the Jimmy Rodgers Memorial Festival, the Blues Festival and the Soule’ Steam Festival.

Most Southern festivals have a few things in common: a mix of live music designed to appeal to crowds of varied ages and backgrounds, plenty of fried food, and vendors selling everything from jewelry to pottery to tunics. Most festivals are child and family-friendly, particularly during daytime hours, and many have activities designed for children, including jumpy houses, climbing walls, petting zoos and other activities.

Glover said that the local festival scene is a fun way to get away from it all without leaving town. She said she especially appreciates the turn that the Jimmie Rodgers Festival has taken.

“For more than 10 years, we traveled to Jazz Fest (in New Orleans) to soak in killer, live music,” she said. “When you’re listening to quality live music among an appreciative crowd, watching the sun set behind our beautiful city hall, it’s hard to believe you’re right here in Meridian.”

Following is some of the area’s most popular festivals and related events:

Feb. 24 & 25

Meridian Mardi Gras Festival & Bud & BBQ Cookoff, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., downtown, City Hall. Parade on Feb. 25

A taste of New Orleans comes to the Queen City when Meridian Mardi Gras rolls into downtown on Feb. 24 and 25. The event, which is sponsored by the city of Meridian, features a Krewe of Midas parade, Krewe of Barkus pet parade, children’s activities, live music, king cakes and the regions largest Mardi Gras store on site. New this year is the KCS Bud & BBQ cook-off on Friday night with winners being announced during the festivities on Saturday.

March 24

Loose Caboose Festival, Downtown Newton

Event features a carnival, live music, kids zone, walk/runs, craft vendors, food and other fun.

April 1

Threefoot Art Festival & Earth’s Bounty Market, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown, City Hall

Sponsored by the Meridian Council for the Arts, festival-goers get an opportunity to browse fine arts and crafts made by skilled artisans throughout the region. The event is named after the famous Threefoot Building, which was named for the immigrant family that built the historic building. Quality crafts, live entertainment, the famous Threefoot Bloody Marys and children’s art activities are featured. The Earth’s Bounty Festival officially kicks off the season where streets are lined with the locally grown produce, canned goods, baked goods, home made products and more.

Earth’s Bounty, first Saturday of each month (April through November), from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Head down to Earth’s Bounty in downtown Meridian’s Singing Brakeman Park for farm-fresh produce, baked goods, home made jams and jellies, and other items. Live music, food and children’s art activities delight the crowd.

April 29

City of Meridian – Touch a Truck (Sears parking lot), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The city of Meridian Parks & Recreation Department will host the second annual “Touch a Truck,” a family-friendly event where children experience hands-on opportunities to explore, climb and touch trucks, emergency response vehicles, heavy machinery and other equipment. There will also be special appearances, food vendors, and activities for all.

April 29

Meridian Mini Maker Faire – Soule’ Steam Works, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Industrial Heritage Museum at historic Soule’ Steam Works has partnered with MAKE Magazine to host the third annual Meridian Mini Maker Faire. The event is one-of-a-kind in Mississippi and features more than 30 maker stations with makers sharing their craft. Tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students and entrepreneurs come together to show their projects and to talk about what they have learned. The event is fun, engaging and exciting!

May 5 & 6

Jimmie Rodgers Festival, City Hall Lawn

The annual festival honoring music legend Jimmie Rodgers, begins on Friday, May 5 at city hall. The Jimmie Rodgers Festival honors his contribution to country music by presenting a weekend of music legends, new artists, and energized performances. The first ever festival was held 64 years ago and the event is bigger than ever and still continuing to honor the life and legacy of “The Father of Country Music.”

May 6

MSO Beethoven & Blue Jeans, Dumont Plaza & MSU Riley Center

Jacquelyn Adams is recognized as one of the most exciting performers on the horn today, and she’s one of Meridian’s own! Adams is the principal horn of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Meridian Symphony, and Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. Performances are at the MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts. All ticketholders will be treated to a BBQ dinner Dumont Plaza beginning at 5 p.m.

Memorial Day Celebration- Held on Monday of Memorial Day

(An official city holiday)

City and county-sponsored event held at the Lauderdale County Court House

A ceremony to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedoms we have today is held on Monday, May 26. The program begins at 10 a.m. on the steps of Lauderdale County Courthouse steps and includes special guest speakers, a military gun salute, and reading the names of the fallen from past wars.

June 16

State Games of Mississippi Opening Ceremony, City Hall Lawn

The State Games of Mississippi began in 1991 with 1,200 athletes and has grown to 37 sports with more than 5,000 athletes competing. The Opening Ceremonies is set for Friday, June 16 in downtown Meridian. Join the parade of athletes, march with your team and show your team pride, and celebrate Mississippi’s Bicentennial! Crowds are thrilled with the fantastic fireworks show!

June 17

Juneteenth Celebration Singing Brakeman Park

Meridian’s annual Juneteenth Heritage Festival celebrates African-American Emancipation Day which is observed all across the United States – and beyond. This year’s celebration is scheduled for Saturday, June 17 and will feature live music, food and a play area for kids.

July 4

Fourth of July Fireworks Display, Bonita Lakes

Meridian knows how to put on a show, and this year’s Fourth of July event promises to deliver patriotism, pomp and circumstance, music and fireworks! The annual city of Meridian celebration begins at Bonita Lakes with a free concert featuring music with a range of soul, country, blues, ragtime/jazz and more.

At 9 p.m. a special version of America will be performed as the fireworks spectacular explodes over the lake. Food concessions, family activities and more.

July

Highway 80 Songwriters Fest

The annual Highway 80 Songwriters Festival brings in local and regional songwriters to showcase their talents and show crowds the artist behind the song. From local to regional songwriters and composers just starting out, the festival creates an avenue for those wanting to break out into the business and those who have already garnered success. Date and details are not yet set.

Aug. 26

Second Annual Meridian Day Festival – City Hall Lawn

Local bands, food vendors, family activities and more are scheduled for the second annual Meridian Day Festival held on City Hall Lawn. The annual festival promotes Meridian and its history.

September – Date to be determined

Rose Hill Historic Cemetery Costumed Tour, Rose Hill Cemetery, Eighth Street & 40th Avenue

Local storytellers, historians, and volunteers dressed in period costume portray some of Rose Hill Cemetery’s most interested residents.

Nov. 3 & 4

Whistlestop Weekend: Soule’ Live Steam Festival and Meridian Railfest

Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 Fourth St.

The Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum at historic Soule’ Steam Feed Works will host the annual festival featuring engines that operate on steam power. Popular activities include the two-day Steam Festival event and RailFest featuring visiting railroad stock with many railroad and model rail vendors.

Nov. 11

Veterans Day Ceremony and Veterans Parade

Veterans and their spouses are honored during the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Doughboy Monument in downtown Meridian as the Ladies Auxiliaries place wreaths at the monument site. Military dignitaries, a flyover and guest speakers are part of the festivities. The Veterans Day parade begins at 3 p.m.

Nov. 18

Merry Meridian Market Place, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., MSU Riley Center

Shoppers flock to the annual Merry Meridian Market for the annual holiday extravaganza held at the beautiful MSU Riley Center. More than 50 vendors showcasing jewelry, clothing, gift items, pottery, baked goods, candy and more delight early Christmas shoppers.

Nov. 18

Magnolia Marathon – Meridian

The sixth annual Magnolia Marathon & Half Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 18, with a route that includes downtown Meridian. All participants who finish under eight hours receive a commemorative Magnolia Wood Finisher’s Medal.

Nov. 28

The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall

Join the city of Meridian to begin the holiday season with the lighting of the official Christmas tree in front of City Hall. The lighting of the 34-foot animated Christmas tree rigs in the holiday season.

Dec. 2

Christmas Parade, 5 p.m.

Join us in downtown Meridian for Mississippi’s largest nighttime Christmas parade. More than 90 floats light up the night as the city celebrates the magic of the holiday season.