JACKSON, Miss.- If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, there is no shortage of activities, whether you’re in the northern, central, or southern part of the state.
If you’re up north towards the state line and you’re feeling that Independence Day spirit, you can head over to Olive Branch for their 16th Annual Celebrate Independence Day Festival. It’s happening at City Park on Saturday.
Event Coordinator Greg McNeer says it’s fun for the whole family.
“We have a world-class fireworks display,” McNeer said. “One of the best in the mid-south area.”
For the Central part of the state, look no further than the 30th annual Canton Balloon Festival. It’s a free event going on through Friday and Saturday.
Tim Slattery is a hot-air balloon pilot, and the pilot coordinator for the event. He describes it as almost a religious experience.
“You’ve got these five-story cloth envelopes standing up around you,” Slattery said. “And all of the sudden, they all glow at the same time on cue, and you have all of this noise from the burners, and all of the light from the fire, and all of the colors from all of the different-colored fabrics going on all around you. It’s almost a religious experience.”
Finally, for the southern part of the state, you’re going to want to be on the coast this weekend for the 67th Annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo in Gulfport. Known by some to be the largest family-friendly fishing rodeo in the world, the event goes on through Sunday. It’s five dollars for admission, but it’s free to fish.
