Rolling Fork is located on the Blues Highway, Highway 61, halfway between Leland and Vicksburg. With a population of 2500, it is the only city located in both Sharkey and Issaquena counties, making it the hub of any activity in the 2-county region.
Things to Do In Rolling Fork
Festivals
Rolling Fork is home to two great festivals: the Great Delta Bear Affair and the Deep Delta Festival. The Great Delta Bear Affair is held each October to celebrate President Roosevelt’s famous bear hunt and the creation of the Teddy Bear. This multi-dimensional festival offers something for everyone. In May, the Deep Delta Festival brings people together to celebrate the diversity and culture of the Delta with music, food, and fun.
The Blues
Rolling Fork is the birthplace of Muddy Waters, the father of modern Chicago Blues music. A Blues Trail marker adjacent to the County Courthouse commemorates McKinley “Muddy Waters” Morganfield. A “Blues Cabin”, also behind the courthouse, is representative of the type of shotgun house in which Muddy Waters was born and lived for the first 3 years of his life. The Muddy Waters Memorial Gazebo is located on the Courthouse Square.
Public Art – Murals and Bears
Two murals painted by local artist Mica Joiner grace the walls of Elm Street and Hicks Avenue. The mural on Elm Street features the history of Rolling Fork while the one on Hicks Avenue features animals, buildings, people, and events special to Sharkey County.
14 chain saw carved bears are scattered around the City of Rolling Fork. These giant wooden sculptures are created by a chainsaw artist each year during the Great Delta Bear Affair festival. Pick up a “Guide to a Carved Bear Hunt” pamphlet and take the tour!
Agritourism
During the month of October, you can visit Farmer Jim’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze for traditional and decorative pumpkins, or to navigate the 6 acre corn maze. There are plenty of activities for the young and young at heart, and you can pick your own pumpkin off the vine. Find other agritourism opportunities nearby.
Outdoor Recreation
The only bottomland hardwood forest in the US Forest system is located a short drive from Rolling Fork, in the Delta National Forest. With 60,000 acres of contiguous bottomland hardwoods, the forest is home to many species of wildlife. It’s also a great place for lots of outdoor recreation such as hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching. More information may be obtained from US Forest Service – Delta National Forest office located in the USDA building on the Hwy. 61 Frontage Road on the south end of Rolling Fork (662-873-6256). Find out more about outdoor recreation nearby.
Historic Homes
Mont Helena was built as the home of Helen Johnstone Harris and Rev. George Harris in 1896. Sitting atop a ceremonial Indian mound just outside of Rolling Fork, this Colonial Revival style home provides an unforgettable setting for guided tours of the home and a dramatic play each spring. Open by reservation only.
Visitors Center
Stop in at the Visitors Center and Museum (Walnut St) to find out about Rolling Fork and learn more about the many things to do here. Contact them at 662-873-2232. For more information about Rolling Fork, visit our pages:
Tours of Rolling Fork
Try out on of these tours to find some unique spots in Rolling Fork. Follow the chainsaw-carved bears trail, find unique local shops and eats, take a walk and view the art murals, or find a nearby hiking trail.
Learn more about the history and tourism in the Delta.
