The 127th year of the Neshoba County Fair, lovingly referred to as Mississippi’s Giant House Party, kicks off this Friday, and for an Ole Miss student, it almost feels like home.
The Fair combines musical entertainment, arts and crafts, Southern food, horse races, midway games and an annual triathlon to create a week jam-packed with (mostly) family-friendly fun.
Located about 10 miles outside of the tiny town of Philadelphia, down a dangerously lopsided backroad, the fairgrounds are dotted with a seemingly never-ending display of colorful cabins that can be spotted from miles away. Families from all over gather for a week of what has been described as a cross between a fraternity party, gospel concert and family reunion, to reconnect with long-lost friends, to take a breather from the real world and to revel in a simpler way of life.
For an Oxonian, the Fair is reminiscent of gamedays in the Grove spent with family and friends.
Dr. Patrick Eakes, a Neshoba County native, grew up an Ole Miss fan and graduated in the class of 1992. For Eakes, jumping to and from porches going from cabin to cabin is a lot like going from tent to tent in the Grove.
“There is always good conversation, good food and good people that you meet here and in the Grove,” Eakes said. “It’s like our own little community.”
He and John Miller, an avid Ole Miss fan, both agreed the fair is a lot like tailgating.
“I think it’s the food, the atmosphere and really just all of it combined,” Miller said. “It’s very reminiscent of Oxford.”
The duo went so far as to say that going to Founder’s Square on the fairgrounds is similar to going to Oxford’s Square, but without the expensive cover.
Though the fair is all about slowing down for a week and relaxing, countless events occur throughout the week all around the fairgrounds, including a performance at 8 p.m. on Saturday by Oxford’s very own Thacker Mountain Radio.
This year’s musical entertainment will be Hotel California: The Original Eagles Tribute on Tuesday, July 26, the Jana Kramer show on Wednesday, July 27, the Chris Janson show on Thursday, July 28 and the Charlie Daniels Band on Friday, July 29. All concerts start at 8 p.m. at the grandstand.
A gospel music concert featuring Standing Firm Quartet and Way of the Cross Quartet will be presented by First Baptist Church of Philadelphia at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The Fair also hosts a pageant on Monday night, and this year, 11 young women will compete for the title of Miss Neshoba County.
A fireworks show will conclude the week with a bang on Friday night. Numerous family-fun events are scheduled intermittently throughout the week, such as horse races, an exhibit hall, a free petting zoo, an antique car show, a Founder’s Day program and Clothesline Art.
Season tickets for those age 10 and over are $40, day tickets are $15 and children 9 and under will be admitted for free.
For more information and a schedule of daily events, visit www.neshobacountyfair.org.
