News

Taste the fun, enjoy the fun at Cotton District Festival

April 10, 2007 - Daily Journal

April 2007

By Jogee Lenarduzzi

The Cotton District Arts Festival will showcase tastes, music and arts all in Starkville's quaint Cotton District atmosphere on Saturday. Visitors can enjoy the arts, or take part in one of the day's many activities.

The festival will start bright and early with the Old Cotton Mill 5K run beginning 8 a.m. in front of Bulldog Deli on University Drive. Registration for the run begins at 7 and costs $20. Then the Junior Humane Society of Starkville will host a pet parade that will start at the fountains across the street from the Hunter Henry Center on MSU campus. All pet owners are invited to join. A bagpipe player from Father of Waters Celtic Association will lead the pooches down University Drive.

Visitors may open their eyes to the Artisans Village and ears for live music coming from three different stages throughout the Cotton District. For some more art, wander down to St. Joseph's Catholic Church for a Juried Arts Show and children's art activities Guests also can visit the International Village to watch ethnic dancing and outfits, or take a break by sampling the entries of Taste of Starkville.

For the senses
Taste of Starkville is a competition for local restaurants and food vendors. Competitors sell the fruits of their labors for $2 to $5 and offer a variety of foods. The bites can be anything from chicken on a stick to fancy desserts. Booths open at 10 a.m. Arma Salazar, coordinator for Tastes of Starkville, said judges will be looking for people who can take "fair food" to the next level. Another festival event that celebrates the art of food will begin at 2 on Maxwell Street. Teams of four representing different restaurants in Starkville will compete in a server relay race.

Flow of words
The first ever Cotton District Poetry Slam will begin at 1 p.m. at the Local Stage in The Grill Parking Lot on Maxwell. Registration is from noon to 1 p.m., and participants are asked to read a short work of their original poetry. Poets also are asked to bring three copies of their work for the judges. There will be a basic poetry reading for those who don't have a competitive spirit.

Everyone's invited come enjoy the big day.