The Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its annual summer celebration along the banks of the Yazoo River.
The Stars & Stripes Festival, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the arboretum area between the Keesler and Veterans bridges.
“It’s a great community event that literally brings people from all over the community together,” said Beth Stevens, executive director of the chamber. “It’s very inexpensive, and the festival is something the whole family can enjoy.”
New this year will be a vintage photo booth, which is air conditioned and features fun props such as funny hats and glasses. The cost will be $1 per person.
“We thought this would just be a fun, neat thing to add to the event this year,” said Stevens.
ArtPlace Mississippi will once again set up shop at the festival. This year, ArtPlace’s activities will all have a “Super Heroes” theme and will include face painting and making capes and masks.
For the fifth year, Stars & Stripes will feature a boat parade on the Yazoo River.
“We’re really trying to build up participation of the boat parade,” said Stevens. “We’ve had a good showing for the boat parade each year, usually about four or five boats. This year, we are encouraging more people to decorate their boat and come out.”
The incentive? This year, the first-place winner of the parade will win $200.
Those who would like to participate can call the chamber at 453-4152. There is no fee to enter a boat in the parade. The deadline to enter is Wednesday.
The veterans’ tribute and flyover — a crowd favorite — will be held midway through the event, and members of the American Legion Post 29 and Post 200 will attend.
For $5, children will receive wristbands for unlimited bounces and jumps in the inflatables. The splash pad at the arboretum will also be turned on.
Greenwood Market Place will be on site handing out free watermelon slices.
The finale of the Stars & Stripes Festival will once again be its elaborate 20-minute fireworks show on the Veterans Bridge, which makes a bright display in the sky as well as on the river.
In preparation for the show, Veterans Bridge will be closed after 5 p.m. Wednesday and all day Thursday.
The festival also will feature live entertainment.
For the second year, Meet the Press, a funk and soul band from the Jackson area, will entertain the Stars & Stripes crowd.
“People loved them so much that we decided to bring them back this year,” said Stevens.
A typical Meet the Press set list includes songs from The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Marvin Gaye and Elvis Presley.
About 10 food vendors will be set up at the festival selling a variety of items. All are nonprofit organizations, such as church groups and civic groups. Those attending the event, however, may opt to pack a meal and have a picnic in the park. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Stevens said anyone who would like to make a donation to continue the success of the Stars & Stripes Festival may send gifts to the chamber at P.O. Box 848, Greenwood, MS.
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
