Memorial Day Weekend officially rings in the Mississippi summer.  After the rainy, grey week we have had, a sunny Saturday at the lake sounds like the perfect way to usher in the season.  Each year, the historic city of Vicksburg boasts impressive events throughout Memorial Day weekend.  This Saturday, May 23, from 11am until 5pm, the community of Eagle Lake will host its annual fundraiser, Lake Fest. 

Lake Fest is a wonderful family-friendly event featuring live music from The Chill, a silent auction, delicious food, fun and games for kids, raffles, flea market vendors and more!  There will be a Kids’ Fest featuring a 22 ft. Rockin’ Rapids Slide, Bounce Houses, games and face painting.  This event is free to attend and there will be activities for all ages to enjoy. 

Kelly MacNealy, Past President of Eagle Lake Matters and Lake Fest Chairman, says, “The event being on Memorial Day is twofold.  It provides us the opportunity to reflect and honor the brave men and women who have died while serving in our armed forces.  It is also the unofficial start to summer and has become one of the busiest weekends are the lake!  Many families have friends and guests, and Lake Fest gives them a great event to attend!”
Lake Fest is also the annual fundraiser for the beautiful Eagle Lake community.  Kelly says they have used funds from Lake Fest "to improve the Lake for everyone. Our projects over the last two years included security cameras in public areas, 5 miles of Adopt a Highway where we pay local youth to assist us, and we average picking up 80 bags of trash per quarter.”  Eagle Lake also sponsors a Mardi Gras Parade, a July 4 Boat Parade and other fun neighborhood gatherings.    

With their mission, “To preserve the unique history of the Eagle Lake area, further the safety, welfare, pleasure and quality of life within the Eagle Lake Community by all means possible,” we have no doubt Lake Fest will be a terrific event in a beautiful setting. 

For more information on Lake Fest, please visit www.eaglelakematters.com
If you are near the Vicksburg area, we encourage you to visit the city and all of the wonderful events taking place over Memorial Day Weekend!  Here is a list of incredible events in and around Vicksburg that should not be missed:

May 22: Memorial Day Preparation of the Vicksburg National Military Park. The preparation will begin at 7:30 am at The Cairo Museum inside The Vicksburg National Military Park, 3201 Clay Street. Volunteers will help place flags on the graves in the National Cemetery. For more information on this event call 601-636-0583.

May 22-23: Dr. Who’s Blues & Mark Doyle. Live entertainment will begin at 6:00 pm at Walnut Hills, 1214 Adams Street. For more information please call 601-638-4910 or visit www.walnuthillsms.com.

DJ 2 Tall. DJ 2 Tall will perform beginning at 8:00 pm at the DiamondJacks Casino Stage, 3990 Washington Street. For more information call 601-636-5700 or visit www.diamondjacks.com.

Memphis All Stars. The concert will begin at 8:00 pm at the Ameristar Cabaret Lounge, 4116 South Washington Street. For more information call 601-638-1000 or visit www.ameristar.com/vicksburg.

Garry Burnside. Garry Burnside will be on stage from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am at the Ameristar Bottleneck Blues Bar, 4116 South Washington Street. Celebrating the Mississippi Blues Trail, Ameristar Casino and the Vicksburg Blues Society present the Heritage Music Series "Vicksburg's Got the Blues". For more information email shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com

May 23-24: Holt Collier Sacred Harp Singing. The 5th annual Holt Collier Sacred Harp Singing is at 10:00 am in the courtroom of the Old Court House Museum, 1008 Cherry Street.  For more information contact George "Bubba" Bolm at 601- 636-0741 or societyhistorica@bellsouth.net.  

Outlets at Vicksburg’s 20th Anniversary Celebration. The celebration featuring gift cards, awesome prizes, food and refreshments, entertainment and a sidewalk sale is from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Outlets of Vicksburg. 
Symphony at Sunset.  The Four Seasons of the Arts and the Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park will present the concert beginning at 7:00 pm at the Vicksburg National Military Park, 3201 Clay Street. The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra will perform with a full orchestra conducted by Crafton Beck. The public is invited to bring their lawn chairs and blankets. For more information on this event call 601-636-0583 or 601-831-6896.

May 24-25: Memorial Day Programs at the Vicksburg National Military Park. A Soldiers Through the Ages Program, military timelines honoring soldiers from the Revolutionary War to modern times will be featured at the Vicksburg National Military Park, 3201 Clay Street.  For more information on this event call 601-636-0583 or visit www.nps.gov/vick.

May 25: VNMP Memorial Day Programs. The Vicksburg National Military Park will commemorate the end of the Civil War and of the Sesquicentennial by doing two ceremonies with "echo taps" and wreath laying at both Vicksburg National Cemetery and Soldiers Rest in the morning. This will be followed that afternoon by a concert of Civil War patriotic music held at the Old Court House Museum from both the North and South by the Olde Towne Brass, of Huntsville, AL, using period instruments and arrangements. For more information on this event call 601-636-0583 or visit www.nps.gov/vick.

May 25: Memorial Day Parade and Activities.  The Memorial Day Parade of Veterans will travel north along Washington Street from Belmont to Jackson streets beginning at 10:00 am. The Memorial Service begins at 11:00 am at the Vicksburg City Auditorium, 901 Monroe Street. For more information contact Willie Glasper at 601-634-0163.

Memorial Day Sale.  The Memorial Day Sale will be at the Outlets at Vicksburg, 4000 South Frontage Road, all day Monday. During this sale you can enjoy special deals at participating retailers. For more information visit www.outletsatvicksburg.com  or call 601-636-7434.
We wish you all a safe and spectacular summer weekend!  A special thank you to Visit Vicksburg for this list of events!  Please visit their website here


{Blog by Mitchell Walters}
 


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