Welcome to Mississippi Travels

Welcome to Mississippi Travels. I stay on the road quite a bit, so I get to explore every nook and cranny and juke joint around. Some are worth the extra time, and some aren't. So, I've done some of the legwork for you. These reviews are honest and unsolicited. Check out the About section to learn more about us.

I've tried to organize the information in a way that will allow you to view events by calendar or location. If you have any suggestions for what you'd like to see on the site, or places to recommend, shoot us an email.

This list is still in its infancy and will continue to grow as the contributors get out and visit new places and take in new events, so check back often, or subscribe to our feed for updates.

The Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo (4 out of 5 stars)

The Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo has been going on for more than 65 years, and it's turned into an event that people from miles around come to attend. The term "fishing rodeo" was a new one to me, and while it conjured images of salt-encrusted cowboys wrangling sharks and tuna, it turns out I was only a little off. Instead of the salty, stetson-sporting sportsmen, I found a seriously diverse group of people competing to win in one of the 26 different categories. People were fishing for anything from shark to barracuda, blue fish, gar, grouper, bass, flounder, catfish - you name it, there's probably a category for it. Visit their website if you want to get a good look at some of the categories. There's no entry fee, and the fishing waters are listed as "anywhere in the Mississippi Sound or the Gulf of Mexico. For fresh water fishing...anywhere in the bays, bayous, rivers, creeks, lakes or ponds. All fish must be caught with conventional tackle and in a sportsmanlike manner."

Que Sera Sera (4 out of 5 stars)

Que Sera Sera is a family owned "Cajun-American" restaurant located in Fondren - a historic neighborhood in Jackson nestled in an area between State Street and Old Canton Road. Boasting a New Orleans-style brunch every Saturday and Sunday, Happy Hours, and more, the restaurant is open seven days a week for diners.

In addition, the restaurant features live music on its patio (BYOB), primarily during Fondren After Five (1st Thursday of the Month).

The Mississippi Craft Center (3.5 out of 5 stars)

The Mississippi Craft Center is located close to the Reservoir, and is home to the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi. Admission is free, so it's worth it to take the time and see what the center has to offer. It claims to have some of the most unique gifts around, and that's certainly true.

The center's website has a list of upcoming classes and events, and the center hosts workshops during the summer for people of all ages.

The Poplarville Blueberry Jubilee - (4.5 stars)

Each year on the first Saturday in June, the city of Poplarville in Southwestern Mississippi hosts their annual Poplarville Blueberry Jubilee. Poplarville prides itself on its claim as the "Blueberry Capital of Mississippi," and the festival certainly pays tribute to that fact.

More than 200 arts and crafts vendors set up shop on the road normally known as Julia Street - a street which is renamed for only one day a year as "Blueberry Avenue" as the city celebrates its prized fruit.

The day starts off at 7:30 in the morning with a 1-mile fun race for the kids, followed by a 5k for the adults at 8:00. And after that? It's all fun and games - and crafts and blueberries and storytelling...

The Blueberry Inn (5 Stars)

The front of the Inn

The Blueberry season in Mississippi ranges anywhere from May to August, depending on just where in the south the fruit is grown. Blueberries are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and can made anything from a mean glass of Blueberry Lemonade to warm, fresh Blueberry Muffins.

I was lucky enough to attend the Blueberry Jubille in Poplarville, MS. It's held the second Saturday in June every year, and showcases blueberries from around the state.

The Hernando A'Fair (3 out of 5 stars)

Back in 1974, the Optimist Club of Hernando was looking to kick off a fund raiser to benefit some of the local charities primarily targeting children and created the Annual Hernando A'Fair. In 2014, they celebrated their 40th anniversary and are still going strong, with close to 200 street vendors showing up to sell all sorts of arts and crafts. The A'Fair takes place the 3rd Saturday in May, and the day starts early with contestants lining up for a 5k run/walk at 7:30, rain or shine. And indeed, the year we visited, the morning started off with a few showers. The runners were not to be deterred. But the day cleared up, and the vendors set up for a full day of selling their arts, crafts, and specialty food. Entertainment takes the main stage throughout the day, and there's a great selection of music - from pop to rock, country and gospel, there's something to please just about anyone.