Saturday
■ Market Street Festival: Downtown Columbus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 200 art and food vendors will be set up throughout the day along with live music, children’s activities and a car show. More info: columbusmainstreet.com
■ Starkville Dachshund Derby: The world’s largest weenie dog race will take place in Starkville’s Cotton District. From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., it will include live music, food vendors, an arts fest and a kids’ zone in addition to the race. More info: starkville.org/events/2025-05/
■ Kentucky Derby Fundraiser: As a fundraiser for the Columbus Arts Council, there will be a Kentucky Derby party from 4-7 p.m. at Harveys Columbus. The party will include food and drink specials, prizes, and a hat contest and photo opportunity. Donations toward your projected winner will benefit CAC.
■ Home of the Brave: Starkville Symphony Orchestra will be performing music of America. Selections will include The Star Spangled Banner and Stars and Stripes Forever as well as Brubaker’s Rocky Mountain Majesty and John Williams’ Hymn to the Fallen. Begins at 7:30 p.m. at Bettersworth Auditorium on the campus of Mississippi State University. More info: starkvillesymphony.org

Saturday and Sunday
■ Dog Show: The Golden Triangle Kennel Club is hosting its 62nd and 63rd Annual All Breed Dog Show, Obedience and Rally Trials at the Mississippi Horse Park. More info: goldentrianglekcofms.com/events.html

Sunday
■ Spring Concert: Columbus Girlchoir is hosting its spring concert at 4 p.m. in the Artz Fellowship Hall at First Methodist Church. The concert is free and open to the public.

Monday, May 5
■ Book Sale: The Friends of the Starkville Public Library will hold its monthly book sale from 11:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. at the library.

Thursday, May 8
■ Historic marker: Unveiling of historic marker noting the life and legacy of Dr. Emmett J. Stringer, a Columbus dentist and NAACP leader. Event is at 11 a.m. on Catfish Alley.

Saturday, May 10
■ Kites and Rainbows: Friends of the Children’s Hospital of Mississippi will be hosting a new community run benefiting the families at Children’s of Mississippi. This First Annual 10K, 5K and Fun Run will start at The Junction in Starkville at 8 a.m. and wind through Mississippi State’s campus and the city. More information and registration: friendsofch.org/run/

Tuesday, May 13-Saturday, May 17
■ The Revolutionists: Starkville Community Theatre will be performing “The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson, a dark comedy about four women stamping out extremism during France’s Reign of Terror. More info: sct-online.org/

Wednesday, May 14
■ Community Event Series: Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum will host speakers Jim Hemphill and Ellen Weaver Hartman presenting “Prisoners of the Nazis: On the Trail of Prisoner-of-War Fathers,” a 30-minute documentary chronicling their remarkable two-week journey through Poland and Germany. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 15
■ Books and Authors: The Friends of the Starkville Public Library will be hosting a talk by authors Dori Lowe and Brandi Perry, speaking about their book “100 Things to Do in Mississippi Before You Die.” Refreshments will be served at 11:30 a.m. with the talk beginning at noon at the library.

Saturday, May 17
■ Glib Glub: Starkville Area Arts Council will host a reception at 5:30-7 p.m. at its Main Street headquarters for the latest installation in its Art in Public Places exhibit series, featuring the work of Joseph MacGown.

Tuesday, May 27
■ Mayoral Candidate Forum: All three candidates for Columbus mayor will appear on stage at the Lyceum at Lee, 1815 Military Road at 6 p.m. Sponsored by The Commercial Dispatch, moderators will ask questions submitted by the public. Tickets are free but must be reserved. Ticket reservations and question submittal: cdispatch.com/forum

Saturday, May 31
■ Nonpartisan Candidate Forum: Featuring candidates for Columbus mayor and city council seats, the League of Women Voters of the Golden Triangle Area will host a forum at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. The forum will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a meet and greet from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

Saturday, June 14
■ Inaugural Fathers Day Festival: United Way of Golden Triangle Region will host a family event from 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. at 301 North Third Street in Columbus. It will include games, vendors, food trucks and music.

Friday, July 11
■ Casino Night: Lowndes Community Foundation will hold a casino night fundraiser from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Trotter Convention Center. Tickets are $100, and include two drink tickets, one raffle entry and $500 in casino chips. The event will also feature a DJ and a cash bar. Tickets can be purchased by making a $100 gift to the LCF Annual Fundraiser Special Project Fund via the CREATE Foundation website.

Saturday, July 19
■ Dancing in the Park: KMG Creations Productions is hosting its 16th annual Dancing in the Park event from 9-11 a.m. at Fire Station Park. The event is free and family friendly. More info: kmgcreationsdfp.com