Saturday, April 4
■ Fundraiser Attic Sale: The Lee Home hosts an attic sale fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 316 Seventh St. N. in Columbus. The event features “treasures from the past” to support future initiatives.
■ Columbus Community Easter Bash: Mt. Vernon Church hosts a free family event starting with registration at 9:30 a.m. at 200 Mt. Vernon Rd. in Columbus. An Easter egg hunt for children through fifth grade begins at 10 a.m., followed by games, inflatables, and treats until noon. The event is open to the public, church affiliation is not required.
■ FBC Starkville Community Egg Hunt: First Baptist Starkville hosts a community Easter egg hunt beginning at 10:15 a.m. at the Starkville Sportsplex. The schedule includes a special needs egg hunt at 10:15 a.m., a baby crawl race at 10:30 a.m., a hunt for toddlers through kindergarteners at 10:45 a.m., and a hunt for first through sixth graders at 11:15 a.m. Participants can pre-register for a chance to win prizes.
■ Paws on the Lot: Carl Hogan Toyota and the Columbus Lowndes Humane Society host a pet adoption event from noon to 3 p.m. at 3907 Highway 45 N. Adorable, adoptable dogs will be on-site for community members to meet. The event is open to the public for those looking to adopt or support the local humane society.

Monday, April 6
■ Friendly City Heist: Friendly City Books Community Connection hosts authors Catherine Pierce and Michael Kardos for a family-friendly event at 5:30 p.m. at Bushy’s Clubhouse, 527 Military Road in Columbus. The evening features free arcade games for children. Street parking is available; attendees are asked not to park at the car wash or in private driveways.

Tuesday, April 7
■ Civil War Era Mississippians Debate America’s Founding Principles: As part of the America 250 program, Dr. Susannah J. Ural of Mississippi State University presents documents from Mississippi’s Civil War and Reconstruction-era governors. The presentation begins at noon in the Downtown Library Meeting Room, 314 Seventh St. N. in Columbus.
■ “Hurricane Baby” Book Talk: Mississippi State University’s Department of English will welcome Mississippi author and MSU alumna Julie Liddell Whitehead as the featured guest for the 2026 Price Caldwell Visiting Writers Series, where she will share excerpts from her debut short story collection about Hurricane Katrina. The free, public event takes place at 5:30 p.m. in Griffis Hall Forum Room 401, and is followed by a Q&A and book signing.
■ Chamber Singers Concert: The Mississippi University for Women Chamber Singers perform their Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. Admission is free.

Tuesday, April 7–Sunday, April 19
■ Columbus Spring Pilgrimage: The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau hosts the annual Spring Pilgrimage featuring tours of 18 pre-Civil War homes, including the final tour appearance of the Amzi Love Home. The celebration includes candlelight tours and special events throughout the city. Tickets and full schedules are available at visitcolumbusms.org.

Wednesday, April 8
■ Tales from the Crypt: The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science present “Tales from the Crypt” on April 8, 10, 15, and 17 at historic Friendship Cemetery. The annual event features MSMS students performing monologues based on research of individuals buried in the cemetery. Candlelit tours begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at tickets.visitcolumbusms.org/event/2026-tales-from-the-crypt/.

Thursday, April 9–Saturday, April 11
■ “These Shining Lives”: The Mississippi University for Women Department of Theatre presents “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich in the Black Box Theatre in Cromwell Communication Center on the MUW campus. The play chronicles the true story of four women who worked for the Radium Dial Company in the 1920s and 30s and their fight for justice against corporate negligence. Performances are at 8 p.m. on April 9 and 7 p.m. on April 10 and 11. Tickets are $7 for students and $12 for adults. For more information, visit muw.edu/theatre.

Thursday, April 9
■ Nell Peel Wolfe Lecture: The Mississippi University for Women Gordy Honors Forum presents Doris Taylor at 6 p.m. in Kossen Auditorium in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus.
■ Many Voices, One Song: The Golden Triangle Singers present their Spring 2026 Choral Concert starting at 7 p.m. at the Lyceum at Lee, 1815 Military Rd. in Columbus. The performance is a celebration of American music commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Friday, April 10
■ Birdies & Boil: The EMCC Foundation and PATH present the third annual “Birdies & Boil” golf tournament and shrimp boil at Lion Hills Golf Course in Columbus. Registration begins at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. The shrimp boil begins at 4 p.m. Four-person teams are $700, and individual shrimp boil tickets are $25. For more information, contact Tony Montgomery at (662) 476-5025 or visit bit.ly/4tFTVLk.
■ Music in the Library: The Mississippi University for Women Department of Music performs at 2 p.m. in Fant Memorial Library on the MUW campus.
■ Blues with a Side of Soul: This event takes place from noon to 2 p.m. at the Catfish Alley Stage near 117 Third St. S. in downtown Columbus. The program includes live blues music and $20 catfish plate lunches. Proceeds and activities are part of the annual Catfish in the Alley festival. To pre-order lunch, call (662) 329-1191.
■ Ballet Performance: Ballet Columbus presents Ballet Magnificat!’s original production, “The Call,” at 7 p.m. at Vibrant Church in Columbus. Tickets are available at tickettailor.com/events/balletcolumbus/2087745.

Saturday, April 11
■ Kites and Rainbows Run: Friends of Children’s Hospital hosts a community race beginning at 7:30 a.m. at The Junction on the Mississippi State University campus. The event features several races. Proceeds benefit Children’s of Mississippi. Participants can register online at raceroster.com/events/2026/110321/kites-and-rainbows-run.
■ Youth Fishing Rodeo: Lake Lowndes State Park hosts a fishing rodeo for youth ages 15 and under from 8-11 a.m. Participants must be accompanied by an adult and should bring their own fishing pole, bait, and chair. Prizes will be awarded for tagged fish, and free water and snacks will be provided. For more details, call (662) 328-2110.
■ Veterans Resource Fair: The Mississippi State University Center for America’s Veterans hosts a resource fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bost Extension Center, 190 Bost Drive. The event is open to all veterans, active-duty members, reservists, National Guard members and their families. Attendees will have direct access to health services, career networking and benefits experts. For more information, contact Justin Brown at (662) 325-6720.
■ Colonial Tea Party: Jeanette Watts hosts a Colonial Tea Party from 10 a.m. to noon at the Downtown branch of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. Guests will enjoy brunch and tea while learning about 18th-century manners and clothing. Attendees are welcome to bring their own teacups.
■ MSU International Fiesta: Mississippi State University’s Center for Student Activities and the World Neighbors Association host the 34th annual International Fiesta at 11 a.m. on the MSU Drill Field. One of the university’s largest campus events, the fiesta features a colorful parade of flags, international cuisine, cultural crafts, and live entertainment from around the globe. The event is free and open to the public.
■ King Cotton Crawfish Boil: Downtown Starkville hosts the King Cotton Crawfish Boil from 1-3 p.m. at The Hub Plaza, 301 E. Main St. Local cooking teams will compete for bragging rights with original crawfish recipes and side dishes. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door and include unlimited crawfish tastings.
■ Catfish in the Alley: The annual downtown Columbus festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. in historic Catfish Alley on Fourth St. S. The event includes live blues and gospel music, local vendors in Artisans Alley, and guided walking tours along the African American Cultural Trail. For more information, call (662) 329-1191.
■ STELLA! Shouting Contest: The Tennessee Williams Tribute presents the “STELLA!” Shouting Contest on College Street, beside the old Hollyhocks in Columbus. Sign-ups begin at 4:30 p.m. and shouting starts at 5 p.m. The event is held in honor of the legendary playwright and is supported by the Mississippi Humanities Council and local arts organizations.

Sunday, April 12
■ Artist Meet and Greet: The Warehouse Market hosts an “Artist Meet & Greet” at 1 p.m. at 1008 Lynn Lane in Starkville. The event offers the public an opportunity to meet local creators and the faces behind the brands featured at the market.
■ Mississippi’s Intergalactic Walk for Diabetes: The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi hosts a community walk at the Riverwalk in downtown Columbus. Registration begins at 1 p.m., with the walk starting at 2 p.m. The family-friendly event includes lunch and children’s activities, with all proceeds supporting programs for Mississippians living with diabetes, including Camp Kandu and emergency patient assistance. For more information or to register a team, visit msdiabetes.donordrive.com or call (601) 957-7878.

Tuesday, April 14
■ Golden Triangle Fiber Arts Guild Meeting: The Golden Triangle Fiber Arts Guild meets at 5:30 p.m. at Starkville Presbyterian Church, 280 Linden Circle. The session focuses on unusual sweater construction methods, and participants are encouraged to bring patterns to share, new or finished projects, and a current project to work on. The guild welcomes all levels of adult fiber artists, including those who knit, crochet, weave, and spin.
■ Student Showcase: The Mississippi University for Women Music Student Showcase takes place at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. Admission is free.

Wednesday, April 15
■ “The Art of Quilting” program: The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum invites the community to a special program with Carol Cantrell, who will be speaking about quilts and the art of quilting. The event is free and open to the public and starts at 10:30 am at the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum in Starkville.

Thursday, April 16
■ Spanish Dons in Colonial Mississippi: Dr. Christian Pinnen presents “Spanish Dons in Colonial Mississippi: The Spanish roots of Mississippi’s Cotton Kingdom” at 12 noon at the downtown branch of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System. Dr. Pinnen, a professor at Mississippi College, will discuss the historical impact of Spanish administration in Mississippi between 1779 and 1798.
■ Stennis Institute 50th Anniversary Celebration: The John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development at Mississippi State University celebrates its 50th anniversary from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at The Mill in Starkville. The event honors five decades of the institute’s service in research, training and technical assistance for public officials and communities. For more information or to RSVP, contact Kendall Sanders at (662) 325-3424 or email [email protected].
■ Regional Business After Hours: The Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Starkville Development Partnership, and the West Point Clay County Growth Alliance present a regional networking event at 5:30 p.m. at the PACCAR Remanufacturing Facility. The event is sponsored by PACCAR and various local businesses.

Friday, April 17
■ Lowndes County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet: The Lowndes County Sports Hall of Fame holds its annual induction banquet from 6-9 p.m. at the Trotter Convention Center in Columbus. The event celebrates the athletic achievements and contributions of local sports figures to the community.
■ Piano Students’ Recital: The Mississippi University for Women Department of Music performs at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. Admission is free.

Friday, April 17–Sunday, April 19
■ Porch Fest: Munson & Brothers hosts a three-day music festival at 301 2nd Ave. N. in Columbus. The event features more than 20 bands and artists from across the country performing folk, Americana, and rock music. The festival also includes food and beer.

Saturday, April 18–Sunday, April 19
■ Spring Plant Sale: The Lowndes County Master Gardeners host a spring plant sale at the Lowndes County Agri-Center & Pavilion, 485 Tom Rose Road in Columbus. The sale runs from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Featured items include natives, vegetables, trees, butterfly plants, heirlooms, herbs and more. Payments are accepted via cash, check, or credit card.

Saturday, April 18
■ Bulldog Invitational Judo Tournament: Hosted by Downtown Martial Arts Academy, this tournament takes place in Starkville from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The cost to participate is $50. Registration is available online at smoothcomp.com/en/event/28075.
■ Breakfast with the Ponies: The Mississippi State University Equestrian Team hosts its annual spring community event from 8-11 a.m. at the MSU Horse Unit. Activities include breakfast, pony rides, and horse grooming sessions. Payment is accepted via cash or check only. Registration is required by April 16. To register, email Head Coach Ashley Glenn at [email protected].
■ Blue Bonnet Trailblazer Run: The race begins at 8 a.m. at the Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center, 2200 Old West Point Road. Registration is $30 before April 6.
■ Cotton District Arts Festival: The annual Cotton District Arts Festival takes place throughout the day in the Cotton District in Starkville. The event features a wide array of local and regional art, live music performances, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. For more information and a schedule of events, visit cdafestival.com.
■ Mental Health 101: What Everyone Should Know: Mental health professionals lead a program focused on breaking stigma and opening honest conversations at 2 p.m. in the meeting room of the Downtown Library. This event is part of the ongoing Friendship Bench Initiative series. For more information, contact Wil’Lani Turner at (662) 329-5297.
■ Lee High School 60 Year Reunion: The Lee High graduating class of 1966 will be gathering at the Lion Hills Club in Columbus to have their 60 year reunion. The event begins at 3 p.m., and all 1966 graduates are invited to attend.
■ Del Rendon Music Festival: The Del Rendon Foundation hosts its 20th annual music festival from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern, 410 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive E. in Starkville. The event features a lineup of musicians and artists and serves as a major fundraiser to support the arts in the Golden Triangle.

Monday, April 20
■ The American Revolution in the Gulf South: Dr. Max Grivno presents “The American Revolution in the Gulf South” at 6 p.m. at Mississippi University for Women. Dr. Grivno, a professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, will explore how the Revolution transformed the region and how American, British, Spanish, and Native powers vied for control of the Mississippi River and Gulf seaports.

Wednesday, April 22
■ Feminist Book Club: The club will meet at 4 p.m. at Friendly City Books to discuss Florence Given’s “Women Don’t Owe You Pretty.”

Friday, April 24–Saturday, April 25
■ Musical – “She Loves Me”: The Mississippi University for Women Department of Music presents “She Loves Me” at 7:30 p.m. nightly in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus.

Saturday, April 25
■ Sickle Cell 5K Run/Walk: The Progressive Foundation of Clay County, Inc. hosts its seventh annual Sickle Cell 5K Run and Walk at Marshall Park, 147 College St. in West Point. The event includes categories for men, women and youth. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with an entry fee of $20 per person. For more information, call (662) 295-8061 or visit progressivefoundationofclaycounty.com.
■ Healthy Kids Day: The Columbus YMCA hosts Healthy Kids Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downtown Y. The event features hands-on activities and movement challenges designed to help children stay active and healthy throughout the summer. The event is free and open to the public.
■ The Starkville Derby: Mama Justice presents the annual Starkville Derby beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Cotton District in Starkville. The “world’s largest weenie dog race” also features nearly 200 food and art vendors, flyovers, live music and a kids’ zone. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. and racing begins at 11:15. The event is free and open to the public.
■ Candle-Making Workshop: The Columbus Arts Council hosts a hands-on candle-making workshop with Victoria Robinson at 10 a.m. at 501 Main St. in Columbus. Participants can learn to blend scents and create their own candles. Registration is required by April 11 at columbusartscouncil.com/tickets.
■ More Than a Bench: A Place to Sit and Be Heard: The Friendship Bench Initiative continues its series with a session at 2 p.m. in the meeting room of the Downtown Library. The program focuses on providing a supportive space for community members to be heard and find mental health support. For more information, contact Wil’Lani Turner at (662) 329-5297.

Monday, April 27
■ Wind Ensemble & Brass Concert: The Mississippi University for Women Wind Ensemble and The Ody Brass Collective perform their Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. Admission is free.

Tuesday, April 28
■ Jazz Ensemble Concert: The Mississippi University for Women Jazz Ensemble performs its Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. Admission is free.

Thursday, April 30
■ Visitor’s Breakfast: Starkville BNI (Business Network International) hosts a visitor’s breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Central Station Grill, 200 S. Montgomery St. in Starkville. Local business owners and professionals are invited to network and learn about referral-based marketing.
■ Power of the Purse: United Way of the Golden Triangle Region hosts its inaugural Power of the Purse from 6-9 p.m. at The Hill and Moor. The event features a luxury purse auction, silent auction, luxury bag raffles, and a wine and bourbon pull-down. The Power of the Purse Philanthropist of the Year Award will also be presented. Tickets are $100 in advance or $125 at the door.

Saturday, May 2
■ Market Street Festival: Main Street Columbus hosts its signature downtown street festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout 12 city blocks of Historic Downtown Columbus. The day-long celebration features arts and crafts vendors, live music, and a variety of food booths and family-friendly activities. The event also includes the “Possum Town Show and Shine” car show. Admission is free to the public.
■ Zach Bryan in Concert: Zach Bryan performs at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville as part of his “Quittin Time” tour. The concert features support from special guests Dijon and J.R. Carroll. For ticket information and show times, visit https://hailstate.evenue.net/events/ZBtour

Friday, May 8
■ The Eighth of May Emancipation Celebration: Students from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, along with local schools and Mississippi University for Women, commemorate the legacy of area African Americans starting at 6 p.m. at Sandfield Cemetery. The program features song, spoken word, and dramatic performances based on historical research to honor the date in 1865 when Union troops arrived to end slavery in Columbus. To learn more, visit themsms.org/8th-of-may-emancipation-celebration.

Saturday, May 9
■ Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market Grand Opening and Kid’s Market: Main Street Columbus celebrates the season opening of the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market from 7-10 a.m. at the corner of 2nd Street and 2nd Avenue North. In addition to local produce and sustainable goods, the event features a “Kid’s Market” where entrepreneurs ages 6-16 can sell homegrown and handmade items. For more information, visit hitchinglotfarmersmarket.com or call (662) 328-6305.
■ Homeschool Yo Kids Expo: The Homeschool Yo Kids non-profit organization hosts its national traveling expo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the East Columbus Homeschool Resource Center, 515 N. Lehmberg Rd. in Columbus. The event is designed for those new to or considering homeschooling to learn about resources and support groups available in the Golden Triangle region. Members of the East Columbus Homeschool Organization (ECHO) will be present as exhibitors. For tickets or more information, visit homeschoolyokidsexpo.com.

Saturday, May 30
■ The Great Fossil Chase: Main Street Columbus hosts “The Great Fossil Chase” from 3-6 p.m. at the Dr. John “Jack” Kaye Cretaceous Fossil Park. Participants wishing to race must bring their own inflatable dinosaur or shark costume. Sign-up for races is required by 4 p.m., with races beginning at 4:30 p.m. for various age groups ranging from 6 to 60+ years old. For more information, call (662) 328-6305 or visit columbusmainstreet.com.

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  From seed potato to supper

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