West Point’s Prairie Arts Festival has come a long way since its debut in 1978. A handful of artists and local folks turned out that first year. Now, the annual Labor Day weekend festival is recognized as a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society and boasts more than 300 vendors and 20,000 to 40,000 attendees. This year’s festival is Saturday, Sept. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to visiting hundreds of juried fine arts, crafts and food vendors throughout a five-block area downtown, festival-going families can stop in at Kidstown, ride a mechanical bull, pet llamas, enjoy a buggy ride, check out the library’s book sale or visit the Howlin’ Wolf Museum. They can take in 14 larger-than-life reproductions of fine artworks that will hang from downtown facades, or take part in a 5K race at 8 a.m. that kicks off the day. And they can relax at music stages with acts including Big Joe Shelton and the Black Prairie Blues Ambassadors, Caleb Childs, The Tombigbees, Tomfoolery and Fast Scarlet.
There are multiple reasons the Prairie Arts Festival is still going strong after 37 years, said Lisa Klutts, director of Community Development and Tourism at The West Point/Clay County Community Growth Alliance. She spearheads the event this year.
“We’re a small community. Labor Day is traditionally a time to go back home and visit family, to take a break and see friends and neighbors,” said Klutts. “The Prairie Arts Festival has become part of that tradition.”
In recent years, the event has taken on another significant role. West Point is an important part of the Golden Triangle — Columbus, Starkville and West Point. “But being the smaller of the three towns, its assets are considerably different, and that’s OK,” noted Klutts. “We all work well together; we all bring something unique to the region that I think complements each other.” West Point, she continued, has gradually become known as an arts community, and a fitting host for Prairie Arts.
Artisans are at the heart of the festival. As a past vendor herself, Klutts has unique insight into their needs and expectations.
“She loves helping new vendors,” said longtime festival volunteer Missy Norwood. “Lisa answers lots of questions … She genuinely cares about each vendor.”
Plans and prep
With about two weeks to go, organizers are busy with details that range from television and radio interviews to treating fire ants and siting trash receptacles.
“Everyone in town takes on additional responsibility, as if we’re hosting a party with an extensive invitation list,” Klutts explained. Getting the word out is paramount. To help, the festival received a tourism grant from Visit Mississippi. This Mississippi Development Authority department supports events that promote the state’s heritage, culture and unique assets and build its creative economy.
Prairie Arts weekend also encompasses the Black Prairie Blues Festival (formerly the Howlin’ Wolf Festival) on Friday, Sept. 4. Blues great Howlin’ Wolf — Chester Arthur Burnett — was from the White Station community near West Point. His legacy is celebrated annually at the music event.
“What I love about the Prairie Arts Festival is that it is bringing the arts to my hometown, exposing new culture and artistic mediums to people who may not otherwise get the chance to experience them,” said Klutts. “At the same time, it shows visitors our own local talents and what West Point has to offer.”
There is something for everyone, organizers stress, including visiting local stores, antique shops and eateries.
“The festival is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., so there is no reason not to stay all day,” said Klutts.
For more information, visit wpnet.org or contact the Growth Alliance at 662-494-5121. Follow the Prairie Arts Festival on Facebook for previews of artists and vendors, including this year’s featured artist, Haley Montgomery, who grew up in West Point.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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