One of the benefits of living in a small city is that you’re not likely to suffer from overstimulation.

The pace is slower, life is simpler and you learn to embrace the art of entertaining yourself.

But there are sometimes when a person wants to be entertained. That is why even the best home cooks enjoy dining out from time to time.

There are weekends when it certainly seems as though there is nothing much to do. It’s the trade-off that comes with the lifestyle.

But there are also weekends when there are an abundance of entertainment options, the sort of variety you would expect to see in a much larger city.

This weekend provides such opportunities in the Golden Triangle.

What’s your pleasure? Comedy concerts? Check. Music? Yep. Chess tournaments? Got it. Shopping? Got that, too. Art demonstrations? Yep. College sports? Plenty.

The weekend entertainment kicks off Friday as Main Street Columbus holds its annual Downtown Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Downtown businesses will offer promotions and door prizes for residents and visitors shopping locally. Along with special discounts, promotions and door prize drawings at participating businesses, those attending can also register for the Grand Door Prize, valued at roughly $600.

Also set for Friday, Mississippi-born comedian and viral sensation Ellen Skrmetti begins her eight-city spring and summer tour at The Mill at MSU. Skrmetti performs from 8-9 p.m. She uses a blend of natural Southern charm and quick wit to find the humor in everyday life. She gained widespread recognition during the pandemic for her viral Instagram and TikTok reels. Her first major viral hit was titled “If The Queen Died In The South,” and she is well known for her “Hey Jesus, It’s Me” series where she playfully “calls” Jesus to discuss everyday frustrations.

Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Music concludes its annual “Music by Women Festival” with Saturday and Sunday concerts at 10 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily in Poindexter Hall. Now in its 10th year, the festival features concerts of music written by historical and contemporary women composers.

For a more cerebral form of entertainment, Mississippi State will serve as host for the Mississippi Scholastic Chess Association, which will conduct its annual scholastic chess tournament from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Colvard Student Union Foster Ballroom. The competition is open to all K-12 students, with both rated and unrated sections. On-site registration and check-in are from 8-9 a.m. The entry fee is $40. For more information, contact Beth Thrasher at (601) 941-5153 or email [email protected].

All in the Same Breath Arts & Culture Exchange hosts its monthly meeting at noon Saturday at the Columbus Arts Council. The session features five-minute presentations where artists can share works in progress. Visit allinthesamebreath.org for info.

For sports fans, Mississippi State will be at home for baseball and men’s tennis. The 4th-ranked Bulldog baseball team completes its three-game home series against Lipscomb University with games set for 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. The MSU men’s tennis team hosts Tennessee at 3 p.m. on Friday and No. 8 Georgia on Sunday at 1 p.m.

For a place where “there’s nothing to do,” there is plenty to do this weekend. So take advantage of it.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

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