McComb has a wealth of talent and significant history, and it’s high time to show it, says Tasha Dillon, director of the city’s Department of Community Relations, Activities and Tourism.
To further that goal, the city will host the first Camellia City Festival on Friday, Nov. 2, and Saturday, Nov. 3.
The festival will offer a variety of music, from blues to gospel, and will begin with a tribute to one of rock and roll’s pioneers, McComb native Bo Diddley.
“My thoughts were to add to what (festivals) we already have in our city,” said Dillon, who’s coordinating the festival.
The Camellia City festival was intended to be a one-day event.
However, when Dillon talked to Alex Thomas, director of heritage and culture for the Mississippi Development Authority, she learned that the agency was ready to place a blues marker in McComb to honor Diddley’s music achievements.
“It all kind of worked out and came together,” Dillon said of the expanded festival.
“I want the people of Pike County and McComb to come out and enjoy the festivities. Bring your families and have fun,” Dillon said. “There will be something for the kids, a recreation jamboree with softball, batting cage and other activities, plus lots of food and good music. We just want people to have a good time.”
Dillon said it’s a thrill to have Diddley come back home, especially after his illnesses this year, which sidelined his career.
“His management said he’s excited about it, and it’s a special time. He appreciates the city of McComb,” Dillon said.
The festival begins at 9 a.m. on Nov. 2, with a bus tour that will begin at the McComb Railroad Museum on Railroad Boulevard, then head to the renovated State Theater, which now shows movies; to the new Hampton Inn, where participants will go on a “Hard Hat” tour; the McComb Tiger Activity Complex, formerly the site of the old Camellia Four Cinema; McComb’s new Sports Park; and Diddley’s childhood home.
The bus tour is limited to the first 50 tickets, which are $15 each. Tickets include brunch with a live band and reserved seating at the unveiling ceremony from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Jackson-based blues singer Jesse Robinson will perform a historical medley at the unveiling ceremony, which is free to the public. However, only bus tour ticketholders will have reserved seating.
Local artist Pat Legg has donated an acrylic painting of Diddley to the city, and prints will be sold during the festival.
The festival also happens to coincide with McComb High School’s homecoming, so the festival has coordinated activities to showcase the school celebration. The homecoming parade kicks off at 4 p.m. Band director Robert Lamkin said the high school and junior high bands will be joined by the Hazlehurst High School and South Pike High School bands. Diddley will be the grand marshal, riding in a convertible from Legacy Ford in McComb.
Back downtown at 9, the night action will heat up with a “Singing the Blues” concert at the railroad depot pavilion. Scheduled to perform are The Harmony Rockets, Jesse Robinson and the 500 Pounds of Blues Band, Static with Louis Norris and Wakefield “Big Moody” Coney of McComb.
Dillon was especially glad to book Robinson, a blues fixture in Jackson. Robinson has played with Elmore James, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Bobby Rush, Little Milton Campbell and many other well-known artists. In 1987, Robinson started the late night weekend blues tradition at the Subway Lounge in Jackson, where he played with his Knee Deep Band featuring vocalist “Big Daddy,” also known as “500 pounds of blues.”
To go along with all that music and dancing, there will be plenty of food, both Saturday and Sunday. Vendors are set up to sell hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, fried fish, sausages and more. Space is limited and available to vendors that support area nonprofit agencies. Some food and arts and crafts booth space remains open. Vendor deadline is Oct. 24. Reserve a space by calling Dillon at 684-4000.
The second day of the festival will begin at 10 a.m. on the grounds of Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center.
The recreation jamboree will be held on the front walking track area from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. D.J. Aaron Tullos will play music for the event, sponsored by the McComb Recreation Department.
Food vendors will again be on-site, as will Paradise Party Palace and Supplies, which will offer photos with characters such as Dora the Explorer and Spongebob.
A fingerprinting booth for children will be open, and a sanitizing/diaper changing station will be provided.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., local and community talent will be presented. Opening ceremonies begin at 10, followed by Dogwood Cross, a bluegrass-gospel group from 10:30 to 11:30; Pamela Perkins of Amite County, singing contemporary Christian music from noon to 12:30 p.m.; county and community highlights from citizens and organizations from 12:45 to 1:30 a.m.; and gospel music from the Terrell Brinson Quartet of Jackson from 1:45 to 2:15. From 2:45 to 3:40 p.m., the Harmony Rockets will take the stage again.
A gospel concert will follow from 4 to 8:30 p.m., with Shelby Price, New Life Fellowship, The Amos Parker Band, comedy from “Mother Cleotha” (Tosha Taylor of Columbia), Camellia City Mass Choir (rehearsals are each Monday night at 7 at Walker’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, 1003 Wall St., McComb.), The True Believers, Pastor Valerie Bass Russell and featured artist Dathan Thigpen and Holy Nation. The festival will close out at 9 p.m. with “Dancing Under the Stars,” featuring Motown tunes from the band Seven, featuring eZra Brown.
Sponsors for the festival are the City of McComb, Pepsi, Legacy Ford, Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, K-106 radio station, which plans a live broadcast Nov. 3, and Petty Trucking.
