It’s Time for Loblolly Festival!

Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 Featured Event, LMS Events, Loblolly Festival

It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year–time for Loblolly Festival! 

This year’s event can’t be missed. It’s going to be the biggest and best Loblolly we have ever hosted–clocking in at over 230 vendors from all over Mississippi.

Loblolly Festival is on Saturday, October 1st from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This event is rain or shine, and thankfully, the weather looks perfect!

Know Before You Go

  • Furry friends are allowed to attend the festival, but be mindful of city leash laws and please pick up after your pets.
  • Loblolly Festival is free! 
  • Keep the City ‘Beautiful’! Make sure to discard pet waste, food, and garbage in trash receptacles.
  • When you’re sippin’ and strolling, make sure to follow the city’s open container laws, and stay in the leisure district.
  • Ample parking is available in outer lots. Don’t be afraid to get your steps in!
  • Visit the Laurel Main Street trailer to get this year’s Loblolly T-shirts! $25, limited quantity

What is Loblolly?

We get so many questions every year surrounding the name and history of this event. Check out some of our past blogs to read more about the history of Loblolly Festival and of Laurel, MS.

Loblolly Festival: Celebrating the Town that Timber Built

Loblolly: The Power of the Historical Name

Vendors

Expect plenty of unique vendors, including all kinds of food & drink, arts & crafts, and organizations. This year’s event is completely packed for the first time in history!

Demonstrations vary, but a crowd favorite is Dayton Scoggins, the chainsaw artist. Dayton will be on-hand this year selling his creations, as well as demonstrating the art of chainsaw sculpture.

Live Entertainment

One of the best parts about about Loblolly Festival is the entertainment. The line-up this year is not to be missed!

Bring your lawn chair, grab a beer from the Southern Beverage trailer, and enjoy music all day long.

Main Stage (located on Front Street)

  • 9:00 AM- 10:00 AM Stephen Wade Scott
  • 10:30 AM- Noon Ra’Shad the Blues Kid
  • 12:30 PM- 2:00 PM Tyler Tisdale
  • 2:30 PM- 4:00 PM Red & the Revelers

The Knight Butcher Stage (Central Avenue)

  • 11:00 AM- 12:30 PM Jesse Howell
  • 12:30 PM- 3:00 PM BIG

Kids Activities

Head on down to 5th avenue to check out the Kids Zone, full of fun for all ages like jump houses, activities, and games.

Shop Small

Don’t forget to eat and shop with our Downtown businesses this Saturday! Get your day started as early as 6:00AM with a loaded tea from Forever Nutrition and end your night at one of our amazing restaurants with even more live music, like 320FifthStreet.

Scarecrow Invasion 2022

This year’s Scarecrow Invasion debuts on September 30th, and will last through October 31st. Loblolly Festival is the perfect time to get out and view these whimsical creations!

Get ready for something new! Vote for your favorite scarecrow display in the “People’s Choice” category on our Facebook page. Voting begins October 2nd.

Other Fun Around Town

Our friends at Laurel Arts League are hosting the annual “Art on Masonite” competition at the YWCO for viewing during Loblolly Festival. Sit down, enjoy the AC, and support our talented young artists around Jones County!

The 30th Annual Heritage Arts Festival will take place on the lawn at Lauren Rogers Museum of art from 10:00AM- 1:00 PM during the festival. Best part? It’s free!

We can’t wait for Loblolly Festival, and we hope that you and your family join us this year! #loblollylover

Know Before You Go: Loblolly Festival 2021

Wednesday, September 29th, 2021 General, LMS Events, Loblolly Festival

Loblolly lovers rejoice! Loblolly Festival is back, this Saturday from 9-4pm in Downtown Laurel. Get ready for the biggest event of the year. 

What’s Playing

Enjoy live music on two stages all day long. Bring a chair, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Loblolly Festival as long as you’d like.

The Loblolly Stage (Front Street)

9:00am-10:15am Free N’ Easy

10:45am-12:00 noon Jones & Pine

12:30pm-2:00pm Ryan Cooper

2:30pm-4:00pm Cary Hudson & The Piney Woods Players

The Knight Butcher Stage (Central Avenue) 

11:00am-2:00pm Free N’ Easy

Drink Up!

The Southern Beverage beer trailer will be located on Oak Street by Trustmark Art Park (and the Laurel Main Street tent) serving up brews for you to enjoy while you stroll around the festival. Be sure to bring cash or visit one of the ATMs Downtown, as cards will not be accepted at the trailer.

Many of our eateries also serve alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages for your convenience. Drink local!

What’s Cookin’

Over 20 food vendors will be on Oak Street featuring corn dogs, funnel cakes, barbecue, and more. Not to mention our delicious Downtown eateries…take your pick! (We recommend filling up on a little bit of everything.)

Fun for the Family

Loblolly Festival is an event for the whole family! Expect games, jumps, and activities for the littles of all ages.

The pumpkin patch at First United Methodist Church, the Heritage Arts Festival at Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, and the viewing of the Art on Masonite contest at The YWCO are also great options for family fun.

Shop Small

While you’re Downtown, make sure to visit our Downtown businesses. This is a great opportunity to check out a shop you’ve never been in before! (Or your very favorite)

It’s important to still make your way down Central Avenue to support the stores and eateries affected by road closures and temporary construction. Not to mention, The Knight Butcher stage will be featuring live music from 11am-2pm.

Scarecrow Invasion

Our Downtown merchants will unveil their scarecrows on Saturday! Check out all their larger-than-life creations while you enjoy the festival. The winners of the competition will be announced on our social media pages on October 5th.

Helpful Tips

  • Furry friends are allowed to attend the festival, but be mindful of city leash laws and please pick up after your pets.
  • Loblolly Festival is free! 
  • Keep the City ‘Beautiful’! Make sure to discard pet waste, food, and garbage in trash receptacles.
  • When you’re sippin’ and strolling, make sure to follow the city’s open container laws, and stay in the leisure district.
  • Ample parking is available in outer lots. Don’t be afraid to get your steps in!
  • Grab a Loblolly Guide from the Laurel Main Street tent by Trustmark Art Park for a map and more information on the event.
  • Loblolly Festival is rain or shine! Don’t worry, we won’t cancel on you.

A special thanks to all of our sponsors and volunteers who make this event happen! Loblolly Festival is presented by our signature sponsor, Howard Industries.