With just a couple weeks to go, Senatobia’s Five Star City Fest, scheduled Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8 is shaping up to be one of the largest festivals the town has hosted.
“The Five Star City Fest is shaping up to be our biggest event ever.” Said Senatobia Main Street Chamber Director, Jamie Sowell. “We are so thrilled to be able to celebrate with our community and because of the generosity of our sponsors, the entire weekend is free.”
Residents and visitors will be able to visit the downtown area and enjoy the live music and event at no charge due to the sponsorships provided by local businesses.
After the annual event was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Senatobia Main Street Chamber of Commerce has worked to breathe new life into the event for this year.
“The setting for the festival in the beautiful downtown Senatobia allows us plenty of space spread out and to be able to bring our community back together again! Our city and county leaders, our boards of directors and our sponsors are all excited to see events and life safely returning to normal,” said Sowell.
With live music, an Arts and Crafts Fair, Kids Zone with activities, a 5k run, Car Show, Steak and BBQ cookoff, and a Cornhole Tournament, the two days are sure to be full of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
To attend the festival in style, t-shirts are for sale through the website, www.g5tees.com/fivestarcityfest.
There are several designs available for the shirts including a design for the festival in general and individual events. Shirts will be available for purchase at the event as well but in limited availability. Online ordering prior to the event is encouraged.
For a full line-up of the two day’s events, see below:
Friday
Live Music
Live music will set the tone to kick-off the festivities on Friday at 5:30 p.m. as Kevin Hill takes the stage at Gabbert Park, located off of Front Street and Tate Street downtown. Lilly B Moonflower, who will bring a mix of everything from edge to folk, will play live from 8 p.m. 11 p.m.
5K run
The event’s heat up with a 5k run. The race is entitled “Not Yo Mama’s 5K” as a nod to the event taking place on the same weekend Mother’s Day is observed - Sunday, May 9.
“Not Yo Mama’s 5k” is an evening run with a start time of 6:30 p.m. on Front Street. Participants can run, jog, walk and push strollers in the event and will receive a t-shirt for signing up. Guaranty Bank & Trust Company and The Baddour Center have sponsored the 5k. Additionally, winners will receive medals, which have been hand-crafted by the residents of The Baddour Center.
To sign up for the race, register online at www.racesonline.com and search for Not Your Mama’s 5k.
Saturday
Car Show
For the morning risers, things get started bright and early, Saturday morning with The Chrome & Classic Car Show starting at 8 a.m. The car show, sponsored by First Financial Bank and Ronnies Hot Rods, will provide hot rods and classic rides from all eras until 2 p.m.
Arts & Crafts Fair
Beginning at 9 a.m and lasting until 3 p.m., arts, craft and food venders will be on site at the park. Shoppers will be able to browse, shop and enjoy the sights in the shaded park.
Kids Zone
Also available from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., will be a Kid’s Zone. The area will feature booths and activity areas which will be spaced out and all precautions made to accommodate current health recommendations. Activities are provided by local churches, groups and volunteers for the event.
Live Music
Senatobia’s High School Jazz Band will be at Gabbert Park Stage at 10 a.m.
Talent Search
The 5 Star Talent Search will come to a culmination at 11 a.m. Hosted by Broken Cup Café, the talent search began with live performances on April 13 and April 20. The finalists, which include musical talents and comedic acts from the auditions, will battle it out on stage until 1 p.m. Following up will be Mulberry Jam who will play from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Steak and BBQ Cookoff
In what promises to be a hot competition bringing in BBQ and steak teams from multiple states, the Carnivore’s Corner Steak Cookoff & Barbecue Contest is sure to be a hit. The teams will arrive on Thursday evening for set up. Smoke from grills will hit the air in downtown Senatobia on Friday as the teams grill or smoke everything from the exotic to chicken wings, from steak to pulled pork and ribs. Awards for the contest will take place Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Main Stage on Front Street. Cash prizes will presented and a grand prize of a Pit Boss Pellet Grill provided by sponsor, Louisiana Grills. ABB is also a sponsor for this year’s event.
Live Music
Saturday evening musical entertainment will begin at 4 p.m. when Memphis Music Review, featuring Carl Casperson, Wyly Bigger, Bailey Bigger and Will Lawhorn, take the stage and perform until 8 p.m. The group consists of talented master musicians who will jam the night away.
To finish out the festival with showstopping tunes will be Black Water Trio, who will take the stage from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. The group has performed at city events previously and were brought back by popular demand.
Cornhole Tournament
Starting at 4 p.m. Saturday will be Tobie Town Throw Down Cornhole Competition sponsored by Senatobia Dental Care. The event will take place in the parking lot of Penny’s Pantry located at 136 N Front St, Senatobia, MS 38668. The tournament will consist of two divisions- Champions and Tailgators. Sowell advises caution when picking a category.
“Even if you’re the best cornhole champion while tailgating at the Grove, you’re still going to want to be in the Tailgator’s division” Sowell explained. “The Champions division is for professionals. They actually travel the country to play Cornhole.”
Sowell laughed and joked, “Unless, you’re just up for the challenge.”
Senatobia Main Street encourages residents, locals and interested parties to reach out with any questions about registering for events or attending the festival. Call 662-562-8715 or email Sowell at jamie@tatecountyms.com for more information.
