Saturday morning, quiet reigned around the homes lining Starkville”s Colonel Muldrow Avenue, although remnants of Friday night parties — lawn chairs and strewn beer cans and bottles — could be seen in the yards of some.
Rounding the corner onto University Drive, visitors suddenly were thrust into the throes of noisy activity.
Gray skies and intermittent rain diminished the morning crowd size, but did little to dampen the enjoyment of hundreds who participated in the Cotton District Arts Festival.
“It”s been very slow, but all the vendors seem in good spirits,” Wanda Pearson, a vendor from Brandon, noted as the sounds of bagpipes rang out from the nearby Celtic Village.
Dressed in a white and green “tartan” kilt, J.B. Griffith, of the Golden Triangle Celtics, regaled the crowd with lively music.
“It”s nice,” Griffith, of Father of Waters Pipes and Drums, said of the festival, noting his group is the only “chartered drum corps-type” in the state. “We come every year to lend some Scottish traditions to their festival.”
“It”s wet, but it doesn”t rain (out) enthusiasm,” said Paige Lawes of Starkville, who also was dressed in the “official tartan colors of the state.” “Us Celts are used to this weather.”
“I like the music,” said Rachel Tharp, a vendor from French Camp who sold children”s items near the Starkville Junior Auxiliary Children”s Village. “I”m really enjoying it. I”m surrounded by music on both sides; it”s nice.”
As Highland Dancers performed in the street, parents stood by while their little ones busied themselves in the Children”s Village, with activities including face painting, bead making and the crafting of maracas, Spanish instruments.
The Cotton District Arts Festival is a family tradition for Tina Green, who attended with her children, Abigayle, 6, and Brayden, 3.
“We come every year,” she said. “Despite the rain,) I think they”re still able to come out and have some fun. My kids look forward to it every year. We would be here, rain or shine.”
As she put the finishing touches on her drawing of an amber-hued sunset, Abigayle identified her favorite part of the festival.
“We haven”t been through the whole thing, but so far, I think it”s been this,” she said, indicating her artwork.
Half a block away in the Chaucer Village, sponsored by the Starkville Rotary Club, shoppers browsed, a peanut roaster hawked his wares and tables filled outside the Bin 612 restaurant and bar as Nick White, a Mississippi State University graduate student, completed a reading of The Pardoner”s Tale from Geoffrey Chaucer�s The Canterbury Tales.
“I think the crowd is remarkable considering the rain,” he said of the festival. “It”s turned out pretty good.”
“We hope it will be a good turnout,” said Lynda Tinsley, a resident of northeast Mississippi, who sold jewelry at the festival. “We did real well last year; that”s why we”re here this year.”
“It doesn”t seem to be as busy right now,” said Elva Eubanks, a Star resident who sold Barefoot Potter creations. “I”m sure the rain is a deterrent, but hopefully they”ll be brave enough to get out later.”
As Eubanks hoped, a short time later the rain began to clear and the crowds grew in number.
“I”m surprised to see so many now,” said Di Anna Borders, who sold graphic design photography.
“I think they have a great turnout, considering the iffy weather,” said Mary Carroll, a Starkville resident, as she browsed through stone figurines at the Starkville Community Market tent. “I like seeing everybody here interact with the artisans and the kids who are performing.”
The free festival, sponsored by the Starkville Area Arts Council, has been honored with two national awards: the American Bus Association”s Top 100 Events in North America and the Southeast Tourism Society”s Top 20 Events for the month of April.
Festival participants also delighted in Arby”s Canus Major Village, the Magnolia Outpatient Rehabilitation Phiddipede”s Physical Health Village, the OCEDA Artisan”s Village, the Kiwanis International Village and the Spruill Property Management Pet Parade.
The festival also boasted musical performances from 14 local and regional acts.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 45 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
