A gospel choir, some local talent and a few rising county music stars will all grace the stage as Meridian gets ready to remember native son Jimmie Rodgers this week with the 71st annual Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival.

“The Jimmie Rodgers Festival is not only something that we can boast about for our city, but it’s on a national level,” said Leslie Lee, executive director of the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation. “It is an honor to have the oldest running music festival in the U.S.”

Lee said the festival, a tourist attraction for downtown Meridian, is expected to draw a few thousand festival goers not only from Lauderdale County but also from surrounding states and even from other countries.

“As anything would in 71 years, it has gone through changes, it ebbs and it flows, but it is still going, and it still has the energy and passion behind it that started it,” Lee said of the festival, which began in 1953 as way to honor Jimmie Rodgers and his influence on the birth of country music.

The festival kicked off Sunday with a Mother’s Day matinee of the Sucarnochee Revue at the Temple Theatre, while Monday will include a music history showcase, featuring Nashville-based musician Paul Burch, whose album “Meridian Rising” paid tribute to Rodgers and his influence on country music. The music history showcase, free and open to the public, will be held at 6 p.m. at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience.

On Tuesday, Jimmie’s Jam Session hosted by Steve Wilkerson will be held at The MAX at 6 p.m. and also will be free and open to the public.

“I like to think of it as musical karaoke. Instead of you getting up to sing, musicians get up and jam,” Lee said.

On Wednesday, the famous Jimmie Rodgers Talent Competition, which has been going on since 1953, will be held at 6 p.m. in The MAX courtyard.

According to legend, a relatively unknown Elvis Presley entered the competition in 1953 and finished in third place, then came back to headline the festival in 1955. Randy Houser and Faith Hill also both entered the competition in different years and failed to win the top spot, Lee said.

“The story is that you never want to come in first because then you won’t go anywhere,” she said, jokingly.

Following the talent competition finals, an after party will be held at The MAX with live music provided by Royal Horses.

On Thursday, Ben Haggard, the son of country music legend Merle Haggard, will take the stage at the historic Ellis Theater in Philadelphia at 7 p.m. to kick off the Jimmie Rodgers Festival weekend.

Haggard, the youngest son of the musician, started playing in his father’s band at the age of 15 and toured with the country superstar playing lead guitar. Last summer, Haggard debuted a new song, “As Haggard As They Come,” at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in tribute to his father.

Opening for Haggard will be Meridian’s own country legend, Scott McQuaig and The Tomcats, bringing their traditional county and Americana sounds to the Ellis Theater. A musician, singer, songwriter and recording artist, McQuaig has a faithful and supportive fanbase from his years of performing throughout the region.

On Friday, festival organizers are bringing back the Jimmie Rodgers Golf Classic for the first time since the early 1990s, Lee said.

A three man scramble with cash prizes will take place Friday at Briarwood Country Club with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.

Also on Friday, the traditional Jimmie Rodgers parade, which will feature the festival’s king and queen, will begin at 5:40 p.m., starting at Meridian City Hall and ending in front of The MAX on Front Street.

Friday night’s show at The MAX, featuring the Red Clay Strays is already sold out. Hailing from the red dirt clay of Mobile, Alabama, the band with its blues-infused honky tonk sound has sold out venues across the Southeast.

“They are pretty well known in their circles, and they sell out everywhere they go, and they sell out quickly,” Lee said. “They are originally from Mobile, but they have hit it big and are touring, and we are pretty excited to have them with us this year.”

Meridian’s own Lach Thornton and his band will kick off Friday night’s show at 6 p.m., followed by Heartless Bastards, who will open for the Red Clay Strays.

“They are one of the most mellow-like easy going Americana bands. They are a lot of fun,” Lee said of Heartless Bastards.

Rising country music star and platinum-selling artist Trey Lewis will headline Saturday night’s show at The MAX.

Lewis, who released his new album “Troublemaker” in the spring, is known for connecting with his fans during live performances. The show is recommended for ages 18 and older.

Saturday’s show will get started at 5 p.m. with the Jax Moore Band, a local band, followed by country singer and American Idol alum Maurice, with special guest King Prinse.

Opening for Lewis will be Paxton Peay, an up-and-coming country music artist who originally hails from Starkville. With songs like “Missin Mississippi” and “Leave Me Too,” Peay is a rising artist in the Nashville scene.

Closing out the Jimmie Rodgers Festival on Sunday will be a big, joyous gospel brunch at 1 p.m., featuring the Grammy Award-winning Joyful and the Spirit of New Orleans Gospel Choir. The choir features members of many world class gospel groups. Attendees also will be able to enjoy a smorgasbord of New Orleans style brunch delectables.

“They are about a 20-piece gospel troupe and they put on the best show you’ve ever seen. It is so fun,” Lee said. “They really engage the audience.”

For more information on the Jimmie Rodgers Festival or to purchase tickets to the shows, check out the foundation’s website at jimmierodgers.com.