This Juke Joint’s Hopin’

Clarksdale, Mississippi, rests in the heart of the Delta, an epicenter of blues history and activity. It’s one of the reasons why Morgan Freeman named his Clarksdale blues club, “Ground Zero.” The weekend of April 22 the blues and other music styles are celebrated on 13 daytime stages and 20 nighttime venues at the Juke Joint Festival. This annual fete attracts visitors from all over Mississippi, plus numerous states and at least 28 foreign countries, said festival co-organizer Roger Stolle.

"If this event doesn't make you smile, then your lips must be broken," Stolle said in a press release announcing the festival. "Blues music, juke joints, monkeys riding dogs — I mean, what else do you need to know? It's absolutely ridiculous — in the best of ways!"

In addition to the constant music Thursday through Sunday, there’s the Juke Joint Festival Kick-off at Delta Cinema at 5 p.m. Thursday, and the return of Thacker Mountain Radio to the New Roxy at 6 p.m. Friday. There’s Sunday’s Cat Head Mini Blues Fest and the Second Street Blues Party, a 5K/8K run, children’s activities, arts and crafts and, of course, lots of great Southern food. And yes, there will be monkeys riding dogs.

For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.jukejointfestival.com.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is a food and travel writer living in South Louisiana who is the author of several Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire and the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Neshoba County Fair highlight the daily chair races

            Jan Risher is an author, freelance journalist and popular columnist for the Lafayette Advertiser in Lafayette, Louisiana. She’s also a transplant from southern Mississippi and loves to share her crazy state with readers. Crazy with deep affection, mind you, since no one in south Louisiana can throw crazy stones.

Photos by Neshoba County Fair

            This past week she shared stories and images from the Neshoba County Fair, which happens every summer about 25 miles from where Risher grew up. The annual event is more like a party, Risher explained, where people from the area come home and stay at "cabins" owned by residents. Camping, a few hotels and the Dancing Rabbit Casino are some accommodations available for tourists.

            “And basically, it's a giant reunion,” she said. “If you're from Neshoba County, you go home for that week and stay at the fair. If your parents are from Neshoba County that week, you go and stay at the fair.”

            Like most county fairs, there is plenty to do, including over at the racetrack.

Of course there's a pageant!

            “For the record, it is ridiculously hot there and people stay for the week, relaxing, watching horse cart races, riding rides, looking at the pickles and jam that won various contests and enjoying nightly performances (usually concerts),” Risher posted on Facebook. “This happens every afternoon when they open the racetrack for seating for that evening's concert.”

            When she posted, that night's show was the Miss Neshoba County contest.”

            The real fun, however, happens pre-show. When they open the area for lawn chairs at the afternoon and evening events, things get a little crazy — and we mean Deep South crazy. Participants wanting a good seat — and hauling their own lawn chairs — race to the best spot. It’s so funny, there are numerous videos on YouTube documenting this craziness.

            “The chair races are simply an afternoon ritual of Mississippians entertaining (and hurting) themselves to get the best seats for the nightly show,” Risher explained.

Chair races at the Neshoba fair.

            Want to see what the chair races looks like? Here’s a clip.

            According to Risher, cabins get all lit up and decorated for the event.

            “Years and years ago, National Geographic did a story on the Neshoba County Fair,” she said. “It's changed since then — for one thing, people have a lot more access to twinkly lights!”

            Just don’t forget it’s still Mississippi in July.
            “Those lights don't fool me,” Risher said. “I know how hot the fair is.”