Bill Graham / The Meridian StarNancy Crews and Mary Anne Catlett prepare plates of Cajun-style boiled shrimp, corn-on-the-cob, potatoes and mushrooms – a main fare at Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church’s annual Spring Festival.

Meridian’s spring festival with a Cajun twist returns this weekend.

Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church’s annual Spring Festival gets underway from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday in the church gym (enter through rear parking lot). The church’s fundraiser for local missions for more than three decades, the festival offers homemade baked and frozen goods, with Cajun-style boiled shrimp plates as the main fare.

Eddie Crews, a Mississippi-born/Baton Rouge, La.-raised member of the church, will direct the cooking of the 400 pounds of shrimp, along with the boiled corn-on-the-cob, potatoes and mushrooms that complement each plate.

“All cooked with our special sweet Cajun seasoning,” added Jerry Long, festival coordinator.

Shrimp plates are $9 each; dine-in or carryout will be available. Delivery is available for orders of five or more plates to one location in Meridian. To be placed on the delivery list, call the church office at 601-485-5598.

For those who prefer something from the grill, hot dog and chips plates – served with ice tea or lemonade – will be available for $2.

The festival will also offer baked goods – cakes, cookies and homemade bread – and frozen dishes – including a wide variety of casseroles – for sale. Other highlights of the day include free children’s activities, as well as music and fellowship.

An outgrowth of a fundraiser started in 1983 by the church’s United Methodist Women, the annual spring festival has evolved into a major fundraiser, Long said, drawing participation from all of the church’s congregation.

Close to $8,000 is raised each year, with proceeds going to local and area mission projects, including the Boys & Girls Club of East Mississippi, Care Lodge, Feed by Faith, Meridian Free Clinic and the church’s Relay For Life team.

Children’s missions are Poplar Springs Drive UMC’s focus for 2017, and profits from this year’s spring festival will go to Wesley House and Hope Village for Children.

Tickets may be purchased at the church office, located at 3937 Poplar Springs Drive. A limited number of walk-in tickets will be available on the day of the festival.

“We highly recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time,” Long said, adding, “We invite the community to come and spend time with us this Saturday.”