Saturday
■ Barksdale’s Catfish Lakes 70th Anniversary Celebration: Barksdale’s Catfish Lakes will host a day-long community celebration from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 130 Hillcrest Drive. Established in 1956, the facility celebrates 70 years of fishing and memories with free barbecue and chips for lunch and supper. The event features jumpers for children and door prizes awarded every hour. For more information, visit the Barksdale’s Catfish Lakes Facebook page.
■ Pride and Joy Car Show: The 35th annual “Cruisin’ the River” Pride and Joy Car Show takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lock and Dam East Bank. The event features classic car displays, awards and community activities. Entry is free for spectators.
■ Benton Blue Bash: Benton’s Maintenance and Mechanical Inc. will host a community fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 248 Chubby Drive in Columbus. The event features live music, food, snow cones, a petting zoo, inflatables, and a “Kids Trades Town” with interactive games. A cornhole tournament begins at 10:30 a.m. with a $20 registration fee per team. All proceeds support a community assistance fund in partnership with United Way to help local families with home repairs. For more information or to register for the tournament, visit form.jotform.com/260706835971061.
■ Fun Geological Tales of Northeast Mississippi: Local historian and avid fossil hunter Rufus Ward will give a presentation on the history of Columbus and how it relates to fossil discovery and geology at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library from 10-11:30 a.m.
■ “Winnie the Pooh Kids” Production: The Golden Triangle Theatre presents two different times for their Young Actors production of “Winnie the Pooh Kids,” one at 2 p.m. and one at 4 p.m., at 1815 Military Rd., Columbus. Tickets are available at the door.
■ The Grape Gatsby: The Starkville Public Library will host “The Grape Gatsby,” a vintage-themed fundraiser, at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 326 University Drive. The event features live music, dancing, food, and drinks. Proceeds benefit the library’s community service initiatives. Tickets may be purchased at the library circulation desk or online at socpls.square.site
■ Possum Town Throwdown: CPAC Promotions presents “The Last Man Standing” beginning at 7 p.m. at the Columbus Fairgrounds, 764 Hwy. 69 S. The event features a combat sports competition where fighters compete for a $1,500 grand prize. Open enrollment for participants is currently available online. For more information or to register, visit form.jotform.com/cpacpromotions/possum-town-throwdown.

Saturday and Sunday
■ Spring Renaissance Faire: The Festival of the Fae’s Spring Renaissance Faire takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and continues Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fae Grounds, 43 Luxilin Drive. The event features artisan vendors, immersive quests and live entertainment. Admission is $10, and children 12 and under are admitted free.

Wednesday, May 20
■ Small Business Roundtable: The Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce will host their May Small Business Roundtable at 11:45 a.m. in the Grill Room at the Lion Hills Event Center, 2332 Military Road. May’s topic is leadership and Rita Felton of Rita Felton Consulting, LLC will present. Complimentary lunch will be served, but registration is required due to limited seating. Register at: form.jotform.com/261183938146160.
■ Tennis Rodeo: Golden Triangle Tennis will host a “Tennis Rodeo” at 7 p.m. at 515 College St.

Thursday, May 21
■ Laymen’s Fellowship: The Northeast MS Baptist State Convention Inc. will host a fellowship dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Mt. Zion Church in New Hope, 1791 Lake Lowndes Road. The event features guest speaker Bro. Orlando Trainer, Laymen President. Dinner will be served. For more information, contact (662) 769-0071.

Friday, May 22
■ Placement of Flags at Sanfield Cemetery: The City of Columbus invites the community for a placement of the flags at 9 a.m. at the historic Sanfield Cemetery, 4th St. South.
■ Dedication of WWI Memorial: The City of Columbus invites the community to attend a ceremony for the dedication of the WWI Memorial in front of the Lowndes County courthouse at 11 a.m.
■ Taste of Tennis: Golden Triangle Tennis invites the community to try out the game of tennis from 4-6 p.m. at the Columbus Riverwalk, 209 1st Street S. For more information, contact Vanita Phinisey at (662) 574-2919. This event is free and open to the public.
■ Tradition, Tastes and Tunes: The City of Columbus invites the community to a Memorial Day celebration at the Riverwalk Stage from 5-7 p.m. with live music by Artistic Band. Guests can enjoy a variety of food vendors, family-friendly kids’ activities, and a special flyover from Columbus Air Force Base.

Saturday, May 23
■ Place of Flags at Friendship Cemetery: The American Legion invites the community to join them for a Placement of the Flags program in honor of memorial day. Flags will be placed starting at 8 a.m., followed by a ceremony at 10 to honor service members.
■ Columbus Memorial Day Ceremony: The City of Columbus hosts a citywide Memorial Day celebration at 10 a.m. at Friendship Cemetery. This event is free and open to the public.
■ Wrap ‘N’ Blend: The Columbus Arts Council and Taji Headwraps host a social event at 11 a.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. The event includes refreshments and pound cake. Registration is $50.

Sunday, May 24
■ Northside Charity Boil: Muddy Water Creative presents a charity crawfish boil from 12–5 p.m. at 803 5th Ave. N. in Columbus. The event benefits the Golden Triangle Homeless Coalition and features live music. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and beverages.
■ “Celebrate America 250” Program: America250’s Mississippi Chapter will host a celebration of America’s 250th Birthday from 4-6 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Monday, May 25
■ Starkville Memorial Day Ceremony: The city of Starkville presents their Memorial Day Ceremony in honor of past and current service members at 11 a.m. at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse. The event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, May 26
■ Wellness Seminar: The Northeast MS Healthy Start Consortium will host a perinatal mental health awareness seminar from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the education room at North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point, 150 Medical Center Drive. Attendees can learn about mental health awareness and discover steps for promoting wellness during the perinatal period. The event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, May 27
■ Mississippi Wildlife Presentation: The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum will host Travis Carpenter, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Leader, for a presentation on Mississippi wildlife and the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge at 10:30 a.m. at the museum, 206 Fellowship Street in Starkville. This event is free and open to the public.

Friday, May 29
■ Starkville Community Action Day: Prairie Opportunity Inc. will host its annual Community Action Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at J.L. King Park in Starkville. The free community celebration features food, music, and activities for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call (662) 323-3397.

Friday, May 29–Sunday, May 31
■ Summer Slug Fest: Caledonia Park and Rec will host their inaugural Summer Slug Fest at Ola J. Pickett Park in Caledonia. The softball and baseball competition is open to church leagues and other teams interested. Softball games are scheduled for Friday while baseball is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Tickets at $10 at the gate. To register your team or for more information, contact (662) 242-7087.

Saturday, May 30
■ Summer Library Program Kick-off Party: The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System will host a family foam party and “the great craft excavation” to kick-off the start of their summer library program, “Unearth a Story,” at 10 a.m. in the Downtown Library. The upstairs meeting room will be set up with several craft stations and adults are invited to come create something fun to bring home. The library requests guests bring sunscreen and towels for the outdoor family foam party. The party is free and open to the public.
■ Pet Portrait Workshop: The Columbus Arts Council will host a pet portrait painting workshop at 10 a.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. The cost is $45. Attendees must reserve their seat by May 20 at bridgetcruz.com.
■ “The Great Fossil Chase” race: Main Street Columbus will host “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 for various age groups ranging from 6 to 60+. For more information, call (662) 328-6305 or visit columbusmainstreet.com.

Friday, June 5
■ Art Auction and Stand Up Comedy Night: Jamison Pastures, 781 Wolfe Rd., hosts an art auction featuring local artists and a comedy night with Jake Mardis from 6-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, light refreshments will be served and BYOD (bring your own drink) is encouraged.

Saturday, June 6
■ Writing to Heal: The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library will host “Writing to Heal” at 10 a.m. at the Redwood Business Center, 5374 Hwy 45 N. The purpose of the group is to write creatively in a group setting and promote a meaningful way to share ideas and listen to others. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, July 4
■ Freedom Fest: Columbus Air Force Base presents a “Historic Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza and Open House” to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. The event features fireworks, live music, food trucks, a vendor market, and a beer garden. Entry is free and the event is open to the public.

Saturday, July 18
■ Dancing in the Park: KMG Creations presents the 17th annual “Dancing in the Park” from 9–11 a.m. at Fire Station Park, 503 E. Lampkin St. in Starkville. Performances begin at 9:30 a.m. and feature Latin Coast, the Starkville Steppers, and other local groups. In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved to Rick’s Cafe.