Organizers have less than three days to put the final touches on this year’s Grenada Downtown Jubilee.
The 19th annual festival will commence at 9 a.m. this Saturday, Sept. 9 — its traditional second Saturday of the month — and continue until 4 p.m. as Downtown Square is transformed for a day of food, fun and fellowship.
Grenada Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Engagement Manager Alexia Gavin said plans for the event have been going well.
“We are excited about this year’s event,” she said last Thursday. “We have more than 50 vendors signed up and encourage everyone to come out to support them. Be sure to bring your entire family for a fun-filled day downtown.”
Gavin added that the festival, which was established in 2004, would not be possible without its sponsors.
“Our sponsors are the key to Jubilee’s success,” she said. “Without their generous donations — giving back to our community — Jubilee wouldn’t be what it is today.”
Joining the Grenada Area Chamber of Commerce as Jubilee sponsors in 2023 include the Grenada County Board of Supervisors, the Grenada Tourism Commission, Ajinomoto, the City of Grenada, Whitfield Media, Advanced Distributor Products, Milwaukee Tool, Modine and Visit Mississippi. The sponsorships help provide funds for numerous aspects of the festival including free children’s activities.
Alexia Gavin
According to Gavin, a half a dozen inflatables from Jolly Jumpers, water ball walking, bungee jumping, balloon animals and various games will be available to children at no cost. Members of the Junior Auxiliary of Grenada will also be on hand providing free face painting as well as allowing young and old alike to experience life-size vehicles that serve our community up close with its Touch-A-Truck display.
Entertainment will begin at 9:15 a.m. with Kayla Braswell singing the National Anthem and continue throughout the day. Liz Merritte will take the stage at 9:45 a.m. followed by Celest Waters at 10 a.m. and Wesley Davis at 10:15 a.m. Braswell will return to the stage at 11 a.m. followed up by the Christ Community Band at 12:30 p.m. Grenada High School’s Visions and the Grenada Middle School Entertainers will close out the day’s entertainment.
At 10 a.m., bags will fly in Jubilee’s Third Annual Cornhole Tournament in the north parking lot of the Grenada County Courthouse. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and don’t forget to bring your own partner. All skill levels are welcome with a 100 percent payout to the first-, second- and third-place teams.
You can’t have a festival without food. Hungry festivalgoers will have a variety of foods to choose from including barbecue, sausage dogs, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes, snow cones and much more from more than 10 food vendors.
Craft vendors will also be on hand selling their wares ranging from candles, purses, jewelry, home goods, wreaths, T-shirts and more.
Numerous informational booths from city, county and civic organizations will also be set up around the Square sharing swag and information.
“If you need something to do next weekend, look no further,” Gavin concluded. “Jubilee offers something for everyone. Be sure not to miss it.”
