Come experience the spring migration of songbirds along the Mississippi Flyway at Tara Wildlife. The Spring Weekend activities combine both casual birding opportunities along with organized birding tours led by seasoned birders. Tara is adjacent to the Mississippi River, providing a beautiful landscape for bird watching. Baltimore Orioles, Prothonotary Warblers, Painted Buntings, Indigo Buntings and more can be seen at Tara.

This is a great weekend getaway for birders, with programs, social events, open-air bus tours, and great bird watching opportunities. Lodging and meals are included in the weekend package. Day passes are also available.  

Lee Michaels will be hosting The Jackson’s Symphony League’s Annual Spring Luncheon: The Style of IPPOLITA
May 3, 2017
SPRING LUNCHEON: The Style of IPPOLITA
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry is proud to partner with the Jackson Symphony League to invite patrons to Discover the Style of Ippolita through a special style presentation at the league’s annual luncheon, May 3, 2017, al fresco under a grand tent on the grounds of Lee Michaels at Renaissance at Colony Park.
Individual tickets: $75.00
http://jacksonsymphonyleague.com/pages/events/spring-luncheon
Includes welcome cocktail, lunch, design presentation, meet and greet dessert reception with Ippolita and door prize opportunities.

The Natchez Trace Century Ride is quickly becoming the largest spring cycling event in Mississippi. Over 700 cyclists each year have jumpstarted their cycling season while discovering our small town charm and hospitality and pedaling on stretches of national scenic byway. This ride starts and ends in Ridgeland and provides an experience for riders of all ages and abilities.

Spring brings warmer temperatures in Mississippi…the glimmering waters and abundant wildlife around the Ross Barnett Reservoir will enhance the journey. Countryside stretches in Madison County and Pelahatchie steady the pedals for reflection, and around town spins delight with discovery of each place.

With your choice of distances from 25, 50, 62 and 100 miles with mild to moderate elevation, it is a great ride to find your stride and other specialties along the route. There will be “energizer” stops, food and hands-on fun every 10-15 miles.

And you won’t want to miss “Ridgeland Rockin’ after the Ride” a celebration of a successful ride with culinary delights, toe-tapping music and stories to take home. There will be door prizes galore and the chance to win the grand prize giveaway of a bike. Post-ride social presented by Ridgeland Tourism Commission.

The Natchez Trace Century Ride will take place on Saturday, May 6 at 7:00 a.m., and will start at the Ridgeland Recreational Center. Your registration fee includes Welcome Party on Friday evening, ride, event t-shirt, post-ride meal and post-ride social. Registration fees are: $35 (January 6-31), $45 (February 1-April 6), $55 (April 7-May 4), $65 (May 5-6). Online registration will close at 11:59 p.m. on May 4. When you register for the ride, be sure to order your Natchez Trace Century Ride jersey for $55. Supplies are limited and they are sure to run out, so be sure to register early to make sure you get this cool collectible.

Packet pick up will be held on Friday, May 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Bike Crossing, 115 West Jackson Street, Ridgeland. You MUST be registered by Thursday, April 6 to be guaranteed a swag bag at packet pick-up. You DO NOT want to miss our swag bag! They are the BEST SWAG BAGS around!  Must register by April 6 in order to guarantee a swag bag and a t-shirt.

 The Natchez Trace Century Ride is presented by The Bike Crossing and is an event of Ridgeland Recreation & Parks.

Sign up NOW!  https://runsignup.com/Race/MS/Ridgeland/NatchezTraceCenturyRide 

* No one will be permitted to start the ride after 7:30 a.m.

** The course will be shut down at 3:00 p.m. and all remaining riders will be sagged.

The Century Ride start 50, 62, and 100 will have a mass start at 7:00 a.m. The 25 mile riders will begin at 7:30 am. No one will be permitted to start after 7:30 a.m.

Rest stops with refreshments will be available approximately every 10-18 miles.

The course will be shut down at 3:00 p.m. and all remaining riders will be sagged.

*Employees of Ridgeland Tourism Commission, City of Ridgeland or The Bike Crossing not eligible to win.

  

The weather will be perfect this Saturday, so plan to join us 10 am until 6 pm for great art, music, food and history. If you want to make the day even more enjoyable, reserve your ticket to the Craft Beer and Bloody Mary Garden* with a delicious selection of beers from Capital City Beverage and Cathead Vodka Bloody Marys, grilled bratswurst and the music of the MSO Woodwind Quintet and Barry Leach.  It is the perfect recipe for good times.

*Alcoholic beverages will be available after 11 am.

Advance tickets are $20 and if purchased using the link below will benefit the Craftsmen's Guild and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. We only have a limited number of tickets, so reserve yours today. You will receive an email confirmation. You tickets will be waiting for you at the Mississippi Craft Center the day of the event. You can also purchase them in our gallery.

http://craftsmensguildofms.org/events/spring-showcase/%20text-decoration:%20underline;

Red Beans & Rice Festival to Benefit Stewpot

Stewpot's Red Beans and Rice Celebration has become one of Jackson's most anticipated events. THis year, 13-15 restaurants, congregations, professionals, and individuals will vie for the coveted title of Best Red Beans Recipe In Town. Planned by a hard-working committee of volunteers and sponsored by Jackson's finest corporate citizens, this family festival offers good, clean fun for everyone! The festival also includes prizes for Best Dressed Booth and for Best Costume.
An exciting highlight this year's festival is we have partnered with the St. Dominic Hospital "Magnolia Meltdown" Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. For more information on how to register visit: www.magnoliameltdown.racesonline.com

This Year's Entertainment Line-Up:
12:00 - 1:00 The Sofa Kings
1:15 - 2:15 Lisa Mills
2:30 - 3:30 Southern Komfort Brass Band
4:00 - 5:00 The Mulligan Brothers
5:30 - 7:00 Drivin' n' Cryin'

MAGNOLIA MELTDOWN
HALF MARATHON, 10K/5K
MAY 6, 2017 6:30 AM
PRESENTED BY: ST. DOMINIC HOSPITAL
Things to Expect at the Magnolia Meltdown:
Scenic Courses through Ridgeland, MS
Finisher Medals to all Half Marathon, 5K, 10K Runners
Full interactive results tent
Great Post Race Celebration will begin around 9:30 a.m. with live music and great food!!
*ALL FINISHERS WILL RECEIVE A FINISHER MEDAL...YES, FINISHERS IN EVERY RACE*

This is an excellent opportunity for anyone in the community to dispose of old, unusable items sitting around the house or office, for FREE! All you have to do is load up your old or recyclable items and drop them off at Holmes Community College in Ridgeland anywhere from 8 a.m. to noon. We'll take care of the rest!
Acceptable items: aerosals, answering machines, anti freeze (non-regulated), batteries, cables, camcorders, CDs/DVDs, cell phones, compact disc players, computer equipment, computers, copiers, cords, duplicators, DVD players, electric typewriters, electronic games, fax machines, flammable liquids, hard drives, keyboards, household electronics, ink/toner, lab equipment, laptops, laptop batteries, liquid pesticides, mainframe equipment, media, microwave ovens, modems, monitors, motor oil (non-regulated), networking equipment, pagers, paint, PDAs, printers, printed circuit board, radios, remote controls, scanners, solid pesticides, stereo components, stereos, tapes, tape players, telephones, telecom equipment, televisions, testing equipment, tires, toasters, transparency makers, two-way radios, UPS - power supplies, VCRs, waste oxidizer, word processors, other electronics.
Unacceptable items:air conditioners, dishwashers, dryers, light bulbs, medical waste, nuclear waste, radioactive waste, refrigerators, thermostats, washers.

Join us for a family-friendly 5K off-road trail run that includes multiple skill stations: .22 rifle, sling shot, archery, spear throwing, water hazards, bear crawls, knife and tomahawk throwing, rope obstacles, cross-country running or walking, and a short swim. All supplies are provided for each station.

Awards are presented to category winners. Families can compete as a team (unlimited number of family members can participate). Times will be averaged. An adult must accompany children under 9 years old. Individuals can compete in their age group: Ages 10-13, 14-17, 18-49 and 50 and up. This event benefits the children of Mississippi National Guardsmen.

Lodging Available

Come stay with us Friday night at Tara Lodge! Pricing includes lodging, evening meal and breakfast. Single occupancy is $149.80, double occupancy $112.35 per person. Additional children are $21.40 each.

  

  

  

Featured speaker Malcolm White will share how hot tamales and comeback sauce gained popularity in the Magnolia State at "Let's Do Lunch" on Thursday, May 18, 11:30 am at the Mississippi Craft Center in Ridgeland. Hot tamales and comeback sauce will be among the menu items served. "Let's Do Lunch" is an annual event hosted by the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi who operates the Mississippi Craft Center as a craft museum, education center, visitor center, event venue and as administrative headquarters for the Craftsmen's Guild. The event will also honor the Guild's volunteers and Sheri Cox, Director of Operations, for her ten years of service. Cox oversees the Guild's retail galleries, venue rental, educational programs and volunteers. Lunch is $20 for the general public; free for 2017 Guild "Friends" members and those not opting for lunch. Reservations may be made online at www.mscrafts.org or by calling the gallery at 601.856.7546 during regular hours. Reservation deadline is Tuesday, May 16 at 5 pm.

"Let's Do Lunch" is supported by a grant from The Mississippi Humanities Council. Other sponsors include Lefoldt & Company and Trustmark Bank.


                    Malcolm White White returned to lead the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) as Executive Director in 2016. He previously held the position from 2005-2012, after which he became director of the Mississippi Development Authority's Tourism Division. While there, White developed and implemented plans to create economic growth and opportunities through tourism, the creative economy and promoted the state as a travel destination and film location. Prior to his tenure at MAC, he worked in the hospitality industry, running a popular restaurant and founding special events and festivals throughout the state.   A native of Stone County, Mississippi, White holds a bachelor's degree in social studies from the University of Southern Mississippi. Throughout his career, he has been a member of and served on the committees of numerous civic organizations. White is involved with South Arts, the Mississippi Blues and Country Music Trails, Downtown Jackson Partners and he is past chairman of the Mississippi Blues Commission. In 2015, he published Little Stories: A Collection of Mississippi Photos, a book of images he created from visits covering the state over several years.      Click here to make your reservation. ...  More >><< Less

Pepsi Pops at the Rez features patriotic music and popular tunes by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra followed by a fireworks show. Bring a picnic, blanket and chairs. Tickets at the gate are $15 and $12 in advance. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and show begins at 7:30 p.m. The originally scheduled date of May 12 for Pepsi Pops was moved to May 19 due to forecast for rain.