The 2010 Pike County Azalea Festival, featuring the 52nd McComb Garden Club Lighted Azalea Trail, begins this month.
The main event includes two weeks of special programs, many of which center around the colorful azaleas that bloom annually in the area. Residents are urged to show off their seasonal colors by lighting their azaleas and other flowering plants from dusk until 9 p.m. each evening from March 22 through April 3.
The Azalea Festival kickoff is Monday, March 22, but the celebration has already begun. A month-long youth art exhibit continues at the McComb Library, where students in grades K-12 throughout Pike County have works displayed.
Other galleries and museums hosting exhibits include The Black History Gallery, 819 Wall St., McComb, open 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; McComb City Railroad Depot Museum, 108 N. Railroad Blvd., noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; Japonica Gallery, 119 N. 6th St., McComb, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; Gulf/South Gallery, 228 5th Ave., McComb, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; Edgewood Gallery, 530 W. Georgia Ave., McComb, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; and the McComb Studio of Art and Design, 325 N. Front St., McComb, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Here’s a rundown of events for the busy month:
Monday, March 22
• Pike Chamber kick-off includes a spring fashion show at Edgewood Mall’s center court from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local merchants will present the latest fashions.
• McComb Railroad Museum will honor Journey Stories volunteers with a reception from 2 to 3 p.m. in the McComb Depot Pike Room.
• Cooking with Class will be held at the McComb Electric Supply Co. demonstration kitchen at 6 p.m. Tickets are $65 and include a five-star meal, choice of beverage and a gift. The third annual cooking event will feature chefs Parker Voss and Mary Grace Moss of The Caboose. Call 684-1160 for reservations or ticket information.
Tuesday, March 23
• Blues and Barbecue at the Ice House Courtyard, sponsored by First Bank, from noon to 3 p.m., with barbecue and blues music.Tickets are $5 and available by calling 249-4556.
• Black History Gallery will host a history on azaleas from 1 to 6 p.m. Call gallery owner Hilda Casin at 684-1130.
• Upstairs/Downtown: A Depot District Restoration Tour. The third annual event is 5 to 8 p.m. and is sponsored by the McComb Main Street Association. The tour features five lofts and four businesses that capture “urban chic.” The Caboose also will grill steak bites on North Front Street, with live music at the Ruins on Railroad Boulevard. Tickets are $25 and will be available at each participating building.
Wednesday, March 24
• Summit Garden Club Flower Show “Diamond Jubilee” 75th anniversary celebration is 1 to 4 p.m. at the Horace Holmes Student Union at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
Thursday, March 25
• The Flower Lovers Club’s 13th annual Festival of Flowers is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pike National Bank Community Room on Rawls Drive in McComb. Garden club members, florists and anybody who loves to create beauty with flowers are welcome to participate. Refreshments will be served, and admission is free. Call Linda Young at 684-9736.
• Pike County Arts Council’s Juried Art Show and Sale is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pike National Bank on Rawls Drive, McComb. Admission is free, and a professional judge will decide the winners. Artist’s fee to enter is $10. Call Sharon White at 250-4525.
• Black History Gallery will host a history on azaleas from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Motivational speaker and author Barry Scott presents “Ain’t Got Long to Stay Home,” based on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at 7 p.m. at the McComb High School auditorium. The Pike County Arts Council is sponsoring Scott’s visit. Call 250-4525.
Friday, March 26
• Pike County Arts Council’s Juried Art Show and Sale continues with art on display 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pike National Bank on Rawls Drive, McComb. Admission is free.
• Magnolia’s Evening in Lights, sponsored by the City of Magnolia and the Magnolia Beautification Committee, is 6 to 9 p.m. at Magnolia’s North Railroad Park. The evening will feature a candlelight night of music and food under oaks and lighted azaleas. Pat Cornacchione’s swing band will perform. In case of rain, the event will be held in the Magnolia Community Center. Tickets are $12 and available at First Bank, Pike National Bank and Citizens Bank branches in Magnolia. Call 783-6572 or 783-5915.
• McComb Garden Club is sponsoring Azalea Princesses on Parade from dusk to 8 p.m. at the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Petey Smith, 1604 Ellen Drive; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Kyzar, 1605 Ellen Drive; and Dr. and Mrs. Turner Willis, 1609 Ellen Drive in McComb. In remembrance of the early years of the club’s Lighted Azalea Trail, princesses of the 2010 Azalea Court will be dressed in formal gowns and standing among azaleas. The event is free.
Saturday, March 27
• Family Day in Edgewood Park is 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with activities and entertainment throughout the day. For information, call the chamber at 684-2291. If it rains, the event will be held at the McComb Sports Park.
The Fun Day includes a pet show, sponsored by the McComb Animal Hospital, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Bring cats or dogs dressed to impress. Four categories will be open. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m., and entry fee is $5. Pets should have proof of current vaccinations. To pre-register, call 684-1581. The McComb Recreation Department will be on hand to provide kids’ games and activities.
• Camellia City Civic Club will host its annual Azalea Court coronation, with junior court at 3 p.m. and senior court at 4 at the reflection pool in the park. Call Ciciley Watts at 684-5641.
• Magnolia Pilgrimage Club’s “Magnolia Anthology,” a comedy depicting some of the town’s past citizens, is 7 p.m. Dinner is served after the show. Cost is $10 per person. Call James Harris at 341-5340.
Monday, March 29
• The Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament tees off at 11:45 a.m. at Fernwood Country Club. Cost is $100 per person or $400 for a team. The four-man scramble includes lunch and an awards reception. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. Call Anna Ruth Brumfield at 876-2552.
• McComb Garden Club azalea coronation is 6 p.m. at the reflecting pool in Edgewood Park.
Tuesday, March 30
• First Bank’s Azalea Festival luncheon is noon, with light lunch provided by Broma’s Deli. Tickets are $5 and available at all First Bank offices. Deadline to buy tickets is March 25. Call 249-4556 for information.
Wednesday, March 31
• Magnolia Garden Club’s annual flower show is 1 to 5 p.m. at the home of J.W. and Dottie Burt, 277 S. Cherry St. Call Carol Wood at 783-0167.
• Magnolia-South Pike Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a historic tour and lunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event includes a bus tour, two home tours and lunch. Tickets are $25 and reservations are required. Call the chamber office at 783-5211.
Thursday, April 1
• A Little Bo, Blues and Barbecue is noon at the City of McComb Community Relations and Tourism office on Broadway. Listen to the music of McComb native Bo Diddley and enjoy barbecue. Call 684-8664 for details.
• Southwest Mississippi Art Guild celebrates Art a la Carte. Art galleries in the McComb Depot District will toast their special Azalea Festival exhibits with food and drink, plus a chance to meet the artists. Admission is free. Enjoy paintings, sculptures, pottery and more at Japonica Gallery, Edgewood Gallery, Gulf/South Gallery and Studio of Art and Design. Call Nancy Brister at 684-6558.
Saturday, April 3
• The Pike County Miss Hospitality Pageant will be held at the Horace Holmes Student union at Southwest Mississippi Community College. Call 684-2291.
Easter Sunday, April 4
• Sunrise services will at area churches.
Thursday, April 8
• Wine tasting at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator in McComb, 215 N. Broadway, will be 6:30 p.m., with wine and hors d’oeuvres. Michael Cameron will lead the program in the Parish House. Tickets are $35 each, and reservations are required. Call 249-3353, 248-6088 or 684-6404.
