Big plans still in store for Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival
By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
May 8, 2003
Britt Gully, in the persona of Jimmie Rodgers, was greeted with applause Wednesday at Union Station as he stepped off an Amtrak train.
Portraying Rodgers, Gully has promoted the Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival in surrounding communities. His arrival in Meridian symbolized the culmination of this year's festival activities to be held this weekend.
In celebrating the festival, which began 50 years ago, the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation held events during April, as well as scheduling festivities during May, the traditional month for the festival, held to honor Rodgers' birthday.
Carolyn Smith, treasurer of the Jimmie Rodgers Festival, said spreading events out over a longer period of time has helped revitalize the festival.
On April 18 an crowd estimated at 5,000 to 6,000 filled the Lauderdale County Agri-Center to hear concerts by country music artists Blake Shelton and Joe Nichols, sponsored by radio station WOKK.
Last Sunday, Pickin' on the Plaza at Dumont Plaza in downtown Meridian focused on Bluegrass and Blues.
Today's event includes a golf tournament in Philadelphia and a gospel concert by The McKameys and The Inspirations at Northcrest Baptist Church that is sold out.
On Saturday, Railfest and a car show will be held at Singing Brakeman Park, under the 18th Avenue overpass near Union Station. Saturday night concerts by Meridian native Steve Forbert and The Sub Dudes, a New Orleans-based band, will be held in the park.
Another gospel concert at Northcrest Baptist Church featuring Ray Boltz has also sold out, according to Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival organizers.
Meridian City Councilman George Thomas was on hand for Gully's symbolic arrival as Rodgers on Wednesday. He said the festival is the biggest thing Meridian has going for it in terms of tourism.
Thomas said he would like to see plans drawn up about 15 years ago for a 15,000-seat amphitheater actually implemented to build a permanent stage for the festival.
SCHEDULED EVENTS
The following events are scheduled as part of the Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival:
Today
9 a.m. The Annual Jimmie Rodgers Golf Tournament begins at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club in Philadelphia.
7 p.m. Southern gospel concerts by The McKamey's and the Inspirations will be held at Northcrest Baptist Church. The event is sold out.
Friday
3:30 p.m. A memorial service at the gravesite of Jimmie Rodgers in Oak Grove Cemetery Saturday.
8 a.m.-6 p.m. Railfest and car show at Singing Brakeman Park near Union Station under the 18th Avenue overpass. Admission is free. Food
vendors will be set up as well as arts and crafts booths, collectibles, antique car and motorcycle exhibits, railroad memorabilia and entertainment.
7 p.m. Meridian native Steve Forbert will
perform at Singing Brakeman Park, followed by the New Orleans-based band, The Sub Dudes. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the show. Advance tickets are available at WTOK-TV, The Music Emporium, Good Vibrations, and the office of the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau.
