People looking for something interesting around East Central Mississippi don’t have to go far to find fun activities.

Whether it’s live music, festivals or parades, the region is home to a variety of cultural events.

Most events are family-friendly, particularly during daytime hours, and many have activities designed for children, including jumpy houses, climbing walls and petting zoos.

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

March 2

Meridian Mardi Gras Festival

A taste of New Orleans comes to the Queen City when Meridian Mardi Gras is held from 11 a.m – 4 p.m. on March 2 on the city hall lawn.

Starting at noon, The Krewe of Barkus pet parade sponsored by the Animal Medical Supply leads the Krewe of Midas parade through downtown. A Mitchell Distributing beer garden will be set up, and the Young Professionals of Meridian will be selling King Cakes. The area’s largest Mardi Gras store will feature a variety of apparel and jewelry. The festival also features live Zydeco music with the Unfazed Show & Band and other musical acts.

At the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, a host of fun events are planned for the day. . From 9 a.m. – noon, The Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian presents Dr. Seuss’s Silly Birthday Celebration in the MAX courtyard with a Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast, crafts, games, storytelling and more. Later in the day, from 5-6 p.m., there will be a performance of “Out of the Mist… a Dragon” by Wood & Strings Theatre.

At 7 p.m., Meridian Symphony presents Wycliffe Gordon & His International All Stars: A Night on Bourbon Street at the MSU Riley Center. Following the concert, a Mardi Gras street parade makes its way to The MAX for a Mardi Gras Masquerade after party. Tickets are $20.

March 24

St. Patrick Catholic School Irish Festival

This annual festival will be held from noon – 4 p.m. on March 24 at the school’s location on 2700 Davis Street. There will be carnival games, inflatables, petting zoo, pony rides, laser tag, bingo and much more. For more information, call 601-482-6044.

March 30

16th annual Loose Caboose Festival, Downtown Newton

The annual event features a carnival, live music, kids zone, craft vendors, food and other fun, providing an opportunity for the historic town to share its rich culture with the rest of the state.

April 6

Threefoot Arts Festival

The mission of the Threefoot Arts Festival is to showcase work of exceptional quality and creativity by artists in a variety of media. It is our goal to nurture artistic expression by providing an opportunity for artists to share and sell their work; by educating the public about the creative efforts of artists; and to add to the cultural climate and quality of life in the community, state, and region.

Sponsored by the Meridian Council for the Arts, the festival offers 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. The festival features a juried exhibition of fine art, booths for crafts, hands-on children’s art activities as well as live performances from local entertainers.

April 6-7

Meridian Mini Maker Faire – Soulé Steam Works

Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum has partnered with MAKE Magazine to host the fifth annual Meridian Mini Maker Faire, April 6-7 This event was the first Mini Maker Faire in Mississippi and offers a unique experience. Since it is held at Soulé Steam Feed Works historic factory site, visitors can see the contrast between old equipment and techniques with new, cutting edge technology. 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.

April 12-13

Philadelphia Ham Jam Arts Festival

The weekend kicks off on April 12 with an outdoor concert followed by the Hog Wild Run & Walk the following morning. The festival features arts and crafts vendors, tasty food and local entertainment.

May 4

Meridian Art Walk

This downtown event draws a variety of artists, including painters, photographers, illustrators and jewelry makers. This year’s walk starts at 8 a.m on May 4 at Union Station, and future walks are scheduled for the first Saturday of each month.

May 27

Memorial Day Celebration- Held on Memorial Day

(An official city holiday)

City and county-sponsored event held at the Lauderdale County Courthouse

A ceremony to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedoms we enjoy is held on Monday, May 27. The program includes special guest speakers, a military gun salute, and reading the names of the fallen from past wars.

May 31

State Games of Mississippi Opening Ceremonies

The State Games of Mississippi began in 1991 with 1,200 athletes and has grown to nearly 40 sports with more than 5,000 athletes competing. The Opening Ceremonies is set for 5:30 p.m. on May 31 in downtown Meridian. Join the parade of athletes, march with your team and show your team pride. Crowds are thrilled with the fantastic fireworks show.

June 2

Chunky Shoals Fish Camp and River Raft Race and Festival

All ages will enjoy the Chunky Shoals Fish Camp and River Raft Race and Festival, which benefits Alzheimer’s Mississippi. Race classes are kayak, canoe and rafts. The route is three miles long and runs from the fish camp to Point Road Landing.

July

Choctaw Indian Fair

The annual fair celebrates the rich heritage of The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Fairgoers experience the culture of the Choctaw people through historical displays, social dancing, tribal arts and crafts and Choctaw stickball. The fair also features the Choctaw Indian Princess Pageant, traditional Choctaw food, carnival rides and live music.

July 4

Fourth of July Fireworks Display, Bonita Lakes

The annual City of Meridian celebration Fourth of July is held at Bonita Lakes and features patriotism, pomp and circumstance, music and fireworks.

July 26- Aug. 2

Neshoba County Fair

“Mississippi’s Giant House Party,” founded in 1889, is an annual event held near Philadelphia. The nation’s largest campground fair features a variety of activities and attractions, such as live musical entertainment, flat and harness horse races, arts and crafts, livestock competitions, political speakers and more more.

August

Vanilla Skys The White Party: Rooftop Edition

This event is held in August at the Downtown Meridian Parking 5th Floor Garage Rooftop, 723 23rd Ave., and is hosted by Meridian native Rodney Hood of the Utah Jazz basketball team. The event is presented by bigLittleProductions and raises money for the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi. Musical guests will be announced at a later date. DJ Sarato will be on turntables with at this year’s event. To find out more information and when musical guests will be announced, visit bigLittleProductions Facebook page or call 662-701-9315.

June 15

Union Day

Food, fellowship and family fun are all part of Union Day, which is held in downtown Union. On tap for the festival are activities such as pony rides, a kids’ zone, train rides, and lots of music.

Sept. 2

QV Sykes annual Labor Day Weekend blues fest and horse ride

The festival and horse ride is planned for 10 a.m.-4:30 on Sept. 2 and features live music and other activities.

Oct. 11-12

Butler Fest

The 16th Annual Butler Fest will be held in Butler, Alabama around the courthouse town square. Businesses show their town spirit with a parade of decorated pigs announcing the event, which also features food and craft vendors, a 5K run, 2 mile walk, and kid’s fun run.

October 26-27

Church of the Mediator Barbecue

The 50th annual Church of the Mediator Barbecue will be held at the church located at 3831 35th Ave., Meridian. Baked goods, barbecue plates, vendors and children’s games will be a few of the highlights of the barbecue, which benefits local charities. that will take place Saturday in Meridian.

September

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. Date and details are not yet set.

Sept. 28

Queen City Race for Life and Street Strut.

Sept. 30- Oct. 6

Queen City Fair

The family-friendly event is held at the Lauderdale Agri-Center at 1030 Highway 19 South. The fair offers talent shows, performances, exhibits, and food from around the world. Past fairs have featured live music, chainsaw woodcarving, a petting zoo and monster truck rides.

Oct. 5 – 6

Eutaw Tour of Homes

Sponsored by the Greene County Historical Society, this event features a tour of a selection of Eutaw’s fabled antebellum homes and churches. Antique shops will be open on the downtown square, where you can also see the historic Courthouse Complex.

Nov. 1-2

Soulé Live Steam Festival and Meridian Railfest

The Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum at historic Soulé 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 Rail Fest 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.

Nov. 16

Magnolia Marathon

The eighth annual Magnolia Marathon starts at 7 a.m. on Nov. 16, with a route that includes downtown Meridian. The day features a wheelchair race, a marathon and half marathon, four person team relay.

December

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 rings in the holiday season.

Christmas Parade

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.