Annual Festival Could Help Boost Local Economy

For more than 30 years the Farish Street Heritage Festival has brought great music to downtown Jackson. Now, the businesses that want to be part of the historic district's rebirth hope the festival will showcase the area's potential.

The music festival kicks off Friday with a pep rally. Some of this year's performers include Eddie Cotton, Cupid, and Sugarfoot's Ohio Players. Tickets for the two-day event are ten-dollars in advance and 15-dollars at the gate for each day. Gates open at 4:00 p.m.

Business owners hope the annual festival will also give them a big reason to celebrate. The owner of F. Jones Corner is stocking up for big crowds this weekend.

"We welcome it. We welcome the people and the good times," expresses Adam Hayes.

But, he's hoping this year's Farish Street Festival will be a little better than last year.

"There was a fence running right in front of our property, so we weren't included in the festival at all nor was any other business on Farish Street," recalls Hayes.

And, they're opening early.

"Twelve hours of non-stop partying. We’re just gonna do our same thing. We’ll have the music here and selling cold beer and have live music," explains Hayes.

And, he hopes festivals like this one will attract more people to the capital city.

"I think it helps bring people to downtown back to the city which is what we need,” adds Hayes.

There are many new businesses opening up on Farish Street within the next few months. And, they are excited about being part of the revitalization.

"It's a good area, with new hotels and people moving back to downtown, it's going to be a great area to be in,” comments Chip Matthews, new owner of Beethoven’s.

And, he knows being in the new entertainment district will not only boost his profits, but the downtown economy.

"When the street is ready it's going to be the place to be. It’ll be good for everyone. It'll draw families early and the adult crowd later in the night," continues Matthews.

And, he hopes to be involved in helping to book the entertainment for the annual event in the future.

"It's a real multi-cultural city, and it's going to be an area, where everyone will come in the future. It’ll be the time to celebrate of how the whole downtown area came together and brought people back to downtown,” tells Mathews.