Outdoor festivals are the highlight of the Mississippi Lower Delta featuring the blues, celebrating the black bear and catfish, and highlighting the great wildlife watching and outdoor recreation of the region.
Great Delta Bear Affair
Date: Held on the fourth Saturday in October annually
Location: Rolling Fork, MS
Website: www.greatdeltabearaffair.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatdeltabearaffair
President Teddy Roosevelt’s famous bear hunt was held in Sharkey County in 1902, resulting in the creation of the teddy bear. The Great Delta Bear Affair was set up to celebrate this historic event and was first held in 2002 to observe the 100th anniversary of that famous hunt. It has become an annual event for Rolling Fork.
The festival includes
- wildlife education
- a 5K run/walk
- archaeological tours
- a chainsaw woodcarving demonstration
- fantastic live music
- a children’s interactive educational area
- games for children
- arts and crafts
- food vendors,
- an amazing fireworks display
- and more
The Great Delta Bear Affair also provides opportunities to educate thousands of people about the past history and current status of the endangered black bear in Mississippi.
Fireworks after Dark The Teddy Bear
Education Day is held for area 4th graders on the Friday before the Affair with interactive activities and educational booths set up around the square.
Deep Delta Blues & Heritage Festival
Date: Held in May annually
Location: Rolling Fork, MS
Call Rolling Fork City Hall at 662-873-2814 for more information
This family friendly event brings the community together for live music featuring blues, good food, free health screenings, and a 5k walk/run.
Mississippi River Nature Weekend
Date: Held in August annually
Location: Tara Wildlife in Vicksburg, MS
Website: https://msriverweekend.com/
Tara’s Mississippi River Nature Weekend is an exciting family festival for the outdoor adventurist, both young and seasoned. Purchase a day pass for Saturday only, spend just one night, or stay with us all weekend. Weekend packages include lodging, food, and activities.
Weekend Activities Include
- mountain biking
- live music
- open-air bus birding tours
- birding tours
- kayak demonstration and paddle (3 time slots)
- river romping and volleyball
- and more!
Spring Outdoor & Birding Weekend
Date: Held in early spring annually
Location: Tara Wildlife in Vicksburg, MS
Website: https://tarabirdingweekend.com/
Tara’s annual Spring Birding Weekend offers excellent opportunities to view nature’s spring migration of song birds and more in the Mississippi Flyway.
The Spring Weekend activities combine both casual birding opportunities along with organized birding tours led by seasoned birders. Tara is adjacent to the Mississippi River, providing a beautiful landscape for bird watching.
- Experience our Open Air Bus Tours displaying Tara’s scenic biodiversity and remarkable animal life. Tours are led by outdoor enthusiast Bruce Reid.
- Explore the nearby woodlands or visit the adjoining wetland areas surrounding our new Nature Trail, and view waterfowl, wading birds and its pristine habitat; a photographers delight.
- Bring your mountain bike and spend some time cycling through miles of Tara’s backwoods and trails.
World Catfish Festival
Date: Held in April annually
Location: 102 Castleman St, Belzoni, MS 39038
Website: https://www.belzonims.com/catfishfest.htm
The festival now encompasses the whole downtown area, including four streets for over 150 arts and crafts vendors, and live entertainment which features blues, country, gospel and more.
There is a free kids zone as well as activities for adults and youth. The festival begins with a 5K run/walk at 8 AM.
In addition to the live entertainment, the crowds are entertained with a Little Miss Catfish Pageant, a Miss Catfish Pageant, and other various entertainments each year.
