JACKSON – The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra along with Brown Bottling Group will present the 36th Annual Pepsi Pops at Ross Barnett Reservoir’s Old Trace Park.  Park gates open at 4:30 p.m., and at 5:15, the evening’s special guest hosts Maggie Wade and Marshall Ramsey introduce pre-concert entertainment, which includes Mississippi Symphony Youth Orchestra, Southern Komfort Brass Band, and Mississippi Swing.

Children have their own special activities area, Pepsi Playground, which is open from 5-7 p.m. In addition to inflatable slides and an obstacle course, children can enjoy a number of other games and activities, including a face painting booth.

Food vendors The Manship and Backyard Burgers will be serving on site. Concert patrons are invited to bring their family picnic basket to the event. Additionally, concessions including Pepsi beverage products will be available.

The annual “Best Picnic Design” contest will be judged by Barry Plunkett and Bo Bowen, and winners will be announced during the program with prizes donated by Mangia Bene. The Jackson Symphony League will be selling glow sticks and other popular merchandise.

At 7:30 p.m. the Madison Central High School Airforce Junior ROTC presents the colors as Maestro Crafton Beck leads the audience in singing the Star Spangled Banner. The concert includes audience pops and patriotic favorites.

Kamilah Brown makes a special guest conducting appearance, leading the orchestra in John Philip Sousa’s Hands Across the Sea March. Ms. Brown is a ninth grade homeschooled student.  She began violin lessons in first grade and has been a member of Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra for the past 6 years.

The evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks finale.

Tickets are priced at $12 for adults when purchased in advance, or $15 at the gate.  Children’s tickets (ages 4-18) are $5. Children aged 3 and under are free. Advance tickets may be purchased at msorchestra.com or by calling the MSO office at (601) 960-1565.

Additional sponsors include Regions Bank, EastGroup Properties, BKD LLP, with media sponsorship from WLBT-TV and the iHeart Radio Group.

Want to go?

What: 36th Annual Pepsi Pops at the Reservoir

Who: Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Brown Bottling Group

When: May 12

Where: Old Trace Park, Ridgeland

Information: Mississippi Symphony Orchestra office, 601-960-1565