This spring, there’s been no shortage of local entertainment and activities.
As the Pike County Azalea Festival ran its frenzied course, there was barely a break before there was more to do — including Liberty Heritage Days, the Pike County Little Theatre’s Comedy Depot, Derby Day and, this week, the Amtrak Blues Tour stop in McComb and a railroad museum benefit concert by country singer James Dupré.And bring an appetite. Keep Pike County Beautiful will be selling catfish plates, but there will be more — jambalaya, chicken on a stick, funnel cakes and P.J.’s Coffee, teas and cookies and Coca-Cola products.
“Anyone looking for something to do, this is a wonderful opportunity,” said Tina Brumfield, Pops coordinator. “They’re filling the (Edgewood Park) pool, and the symphony will be up on the steps. People can bring lawn chairs to sit around the pool. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear the symphony in our neck of the woods. … And, it’s free.”
Brumfield said there will be lots for children to do. Booths include one manned by local artist Malcolm Allen, art gallery owner Robbin Daughdrill of Signatures and Claire Allen. Local residents can help out their art project by donating used paint brushes for kids to use to craft pieces of art. Brushes can be dropped off at Signatures, across from the Post Office in McComb.
Laurie Lewis will head up a coloring booth, and Janet Stewart’s Girl Scouts will offer their custom face painting. Merchandise vendors will include sales of jewelry and cosmetics.
The evening’s finale will be a 10-minute fireworks show, presented by Entergy.
Add this Friday’s long night of Relay for Life to the list, and it’s been a hectic spring.
The cure for that just may be this weekend’s other big event — the Pike County Arts Council’s second annual Pops in the Park, from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Edgewood Park in McComb.
Pops organizers said it’s a great place for participants to unwind, listen to some good music, enjoy an informal picnic with a variety of foods, and be with friends and family.
And unlike the last two weekends, the weather forecast looks pretty good for Friday and Saturday.
Pops visitors are invited to pack blankets or chairs and sit back to the sounds of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.
The orchestra, sponsored by Trustmark National Bank, will perform music from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” the theme from “Spiderman,” “Overture to the Cowboys,” a tribute to the Beatles, “Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter,” an armed forces salute and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Also taking part in the program will be the North Pike High School brass quartet and jazz ensemble.
