Since 2017, travelers along Highway 82 between Columbus and Mayhew could note the progress of one of Lowndes County’s biggest capital improvement projects.

Located off Tom Rose Road and in plain view of Highway 82 travelers, the 5,000 square-foot building that is now home to the Mississippi State Extension office and the county’s 4-H headquarters was first to arrive, followed by the most prominent feature of the $2.6 million, 22-acre parcel, 45,000 square-foot open-air arena, which was completed in late 2019.

But if you ask county Extension agent Reid Nevins about the feature of the park he is most excited about now, he would point to a vital addition that will go a long way in helping fulfill the facility’s vision.

County leaders envisioned a facility large enough to host horse shows and competitions, livestock shows, fairs, expos and 4-H and community events. Now that vision is ready to become a reality.

“The parking lot is what’s been holding us back,” Nevins said. “The arena has been open to the public for about two years and we’ve had a few smaller events, mostly 4-H things, but without the parking lot being finished, we really couldn’t have any big events.”

Susan Hudgens of the Magnolia Riding Club has been using the area for training and exercising her horses for quite some time.

“We love it,” Hudgens said. “It’s absolutely amazing. The dirt is great. There’s plenty of space and it’s completely covered so in the summer it feels like it’s air-conditioned.”

For all its amenities, the lack of suitable parking loomed large.

“Believe it or not, the parking lot is a huge deal,” she said. “Before you had to try to park on the asphalt out on Tom Rose Road, pretty far away from the arena. It was just hard to plan something big there. There just wasn’t enough parking.”

That’s no longer a problem. The $160,000 graveled parking areas surround the arena on three sides, plenty of room for trucks and trailers used to haul horses and livestock.

Although there are some features yet to be finished — permanent restrooms and a concession building — the facility is at last ready for a big event.

That long-awaited day comes Saturday with the grand opening of the Lowndes County Agri-Center, featuring the “Gobble Till You Wobble Horse Show and Barrel Race.” The show, sponsored by the Magnolia Riding Club with the support of the Lowndes County 4-H Club, will feature 25 events, many divided by age class, beginning at 1 p.m.

“It’s really a way to introduce people to what we have here,” Nevins said. “We just want people to come out, enjoy the day and see the facility, which we’re really proud of.”

For competitive barrel racers like Hudgens, who has been competing for close to 25 years, Saturday’s event will be a low-stress affair for veteran riders and a fun way for novice riders and the “horse curious” to familiarize themselves with the sport.

“It’s kind of our last hurrah after finishing the competitive circuit,” Hudgens said. “The focus will be on having fun and we’ve set up the program so that all skill levels, even young children who don’t ride, can participate. There will be something for all skill levels. It’s not a competitive event, so really, it’s all about having fun and showing off the arena.”

There is no pre-registration. People can show up prior to the 1 p.m. start to register and participate. Some of the events require a small entry fee, but others are free.

“We don’t have any idea of how many people will come out because there’s no sign-up involved,” Nevins said. “We will have a concession stand with all kinds of food that 4-H is running. There’s no admission charge. We want people to come out and look around and enjoy the show.”

Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].

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