Mississippi Events 2012

We gladly list upcoming events of statewide interest, as space allows. Submissions should reach us at least two months prior to the event date and must include a phone number with area code. Mail submissions to Mississippi Events, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300; fax to (601) 605-8601; or e-mail to news@epaofms.com. All events are subject to change. We recommend calling event organizers to confirm event details before traveling. For more events and statewide tourism information, go to www.visitmississippi.org.

African American Military History Museum Black History Month Events, through February, Hattiesburg. Display of military memorabilia of Vietnam War vet Charles Brown. Presentations by local Vietnam vets each Saturday, 11 a.m. Book talk/signing with Darthy Patton-Johnson Feb. 11, 3 p.m. African American Military History Museum. Details: 601-450-1942; www.hattiesburguso.com.

Black History Month Program: Louisiana Native Guards, Feb. 12, Ocean Springs. Story of African American soldiers guarding Ship Island after 1863; 2 p.m. Free. William M. Colmer Visitor Center, Davis Bayou. Details: 228-875-9057; www.nps.gov/guis.

Mississippi Coast Jazz Society Jam Session and Dance, Feb. 12 and March 11, Biloxi. Hard Rock Casino; 2-5 p.m. Admission for non-members. Details: 228-392-4177.

Marsh Walk, Feb. 18, Ocean Springs. Easy stroll at low tide; 10 a.m. Free. William M. Colmer Visitor Center, Davis Bayou. Details: 228-875-9057; www.nps.gov/guis.

Choctaw County Jamboree, Feb. 18, Ackerman. Bluegrass, old-time and gospel music performances; food; 6 p.m.. Admission. Choctaw County Community Center. Details: 662-617-3744.

“Off to the Races” Children’s Mardi Gras Walking Parade, Feb. 20, Biloxi. Non-motorized parade for ages 12 and under; 11 a.m. Apply by Feb. 10. Begins Saenger parking lot. Details: 228-435-6339; kmiller@biloxi.ms.us.

Riverdance, Feb. 21, Southaven. U.S. touring production of Riverdance; 7:30 - 10 p.m. Admission. DeSoto Civic Center. Details: 662-470-2131; www.desotociviccenter.com.

Congressional Art Competition, Feb. 21 - March 3, Columbus. Free. Reception March 3, 2-4 p.m. Mississippi University for Women Department of Art & Design. Details: 662-329-7119.

Sixth Annual Southern Strings Dulcimer Festival, Feb. 23-25, Hattiesburg. Workshops, concerts, vendors, private lessons and Deep South Dulcimer Competition. William Carey University Campus. Details: 601-583-6424; www.mississippidulcimer.com.

Roosevelt State Park Music Festival, Feb. 23-25, Morton. Bluegrass, gospel, country music performances. Featuring Southern Gentlemen, Ted Jones & The Tarheel Boys, Alan Sibley & The Magnolia Ramblers, Breakin Grass, Hurricane Creek and others. Camping; motel rooms. Admission. Livingston Performing Arts Center. Details: 601-537-3641.

23rd Annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration, Feb. 23-26, Natchez. Humanties- and arts-based conference on the theme “Legends, Lore and Literature: Storytelling in the South.” Speakers, oral history workshop, award ceremonies, films, children’s writing project and more. Most events free. Natchez Convention Center. Details: 866-296-6522, 601-446-1289; www.colin.edu/nlcc.

Mark Trammell Quartet in Concert, Feb. 24, Forest. Magnolia Heights Baptist Church; 7 p.m. Details: 601-697-4822, 601-697-4832.

Birds of Winter, Feb. 25, Ocean Springs. Bird watching walk with a volunteer naturalist; 9 a.m. Free. William M. Colmer Visitor Center, Davis Bayou. Details: 228-875-9057; www.nps.gov/guis.

Marsh Boat Tours, Feb. 26, Ocean Springs. Tour bayou by boat with a park ranger; 1 and 2 p.m. Free; preregistration required. William M. Colmer Visitor Center, Davis Bayou. Details: 228-875-9057; www.nps.gov/guis.

Sheep-to-Shawl Fiber Arts Demonstrations, March 3, Ridgeland. Handspinning and weaving demonstrations and live fiber-bearing animals. Sheep-shearing demonstrations at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Hands-on fiber crafts for kids; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free. Mississippi Craft Center. Details: 601-573-6357; www.cvillewsg.com; www.mscrafts.org; acerce@aol.com.

A Gathering for Women, March 3, Diamondhead. Christian speaker and author Tracy Lewis of Mercy & Grace Ministry to speak on Relationship Building; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lunch; child care for 12 and under. Free. Diamondhead Community Church. Details: 228-255-5556; www.dhcommunitychurch.org.

Greenhouse Tomato Short Course, March 6-7, Raymond. Seminars, exhibitors covering all aspects of greenhouse tomato production. Admission; advance registration available. Eagle Ridge Conference Center. Details: 601-892-3731; greenhousetomatosc.com.

B&S Consignment - Ladies, Juniors and Men’s Consignment Sales, March 7-9, Brookhaven. Clothing, accessories, home decor, furniture. Lincoln Civic Center. Details: 601-303-1466; www.bnsconsignment.com.

Twice As Nice Kids Resale Event, March 8-10, Biloxi. Gently used children’s toys, clothes, books, infant equipment, games and more. Free. Dr. Frank Gruich Sr. Community Center. Details: 850-341-1676; www.2asnicekidsresale.com.

Book Signing and Reading, March 13, Waynesboro. Mississippi author AnDerecco; 3-5 p.m. Waynesboro-Wayne County Library. Details: 769-218-7687; anderecco@gmail.com.