Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 3-6
Artesia Day Festival — Artesia’s 19th annual festival includes live music, speakers, baseball, dance teams and more. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. daily (ball games begin earlier). (A Back-to-School giveaway and kids’ fun day is July 28 at 2 p.m.) For more information, call Artesia Town Hall, 662-272-5104.
Friday and Saturday,
Aug. 4-5
Home, Lawn & Garden — Organizations and individuals at booths will offer new and gently-used home, lawn and garden merchandise at the Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane, Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Some booths benefit causes including scholarships and Alzheimer’s research. Food available for purchase. For more information, call 662-418-9159.
Saturday, Aug. 5
Art for EB — An event honoring the late Gabe Valentine, who suffered from epidermolysis bullosa, features artwork by Lee Gibson at Ole Homestead, 302 College St., Columbus, from 4-7 p.m. Proceeds benefit EB research. Several paintings are being created specifically for a raffle at the event, which will include refreshments. For more information, email [email protected].
Friday, Aug. 11
“The Help” — In conjunction with the Mississippi Writers’ Series, the Columbus Arts Council screens the film “The Help” at 7 p.m. in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater. Free to the public. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Friday Night Jams — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council hosts this evening of live music at 7 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point. Free to the public.
Saturday, Aug. 12
Puppy Foam Party — Pups can come dirty and leave clean at this Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society fundraiser from 1-3 p.m. at the Animal Clinic of Columbus, 3157 Highway 45 N., Columbus. B.Y.O.T.-Bring Your Own Towel.
Sunday, Aug. 13
Exhibit opening — A 2 p.m. reception opens an exhibit by Ronnie Robinson and Matt Warren at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point.
Thursday, Aug. 17
Writers’ Series with Katy Simpson Smith — The Columbus Arts Council’s and grant partners’ Mississippi Writers’ Series presents author Katy Simpson Smith (“The Story of Land and Sea,” “Free Men”) at 7 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Free to the public.
Saturday, Aug. 19
Possum Town Triathlon — Get in training to swim 600 yards, bike 17 miles and run 3.3 miles in the sixth annual Possum Town Triathlon at Columbus Lake. Register at possumtowntriathlon.com/registration.
Golden Triangle Comic Con — Comic Con is back, with celebrity guests, geek and gaming vendors, tournaments, cosplay contest and more from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (gaming continues until 11 p.m.) on Trotter Convention Center’s upper level. Tickets $20 age 16 and up; $15 military, first responders (ID required); $10 ages 9-15; free for age 8 and under. Get tickets at gtcomiccon.com.
Forks & Corks — This Starkville Area Arts Council fundraiser from 6:30-9:30 p.m. features top area chefs and tastings of their creative specialties at The Mill Conference Center. Tickets are $75, or $800 for tables of eight. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com or contact the SAAC, 662-324-3080.
Sunday, Aug. 20
Sundays at the Center — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents Rachel Delk Wood at 2 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point.
Saturday, Aug. 26
Island Paddlefest — Bring a kayak, canoe or paddleboard for this 5.5-mile race on the Tenn-Tom to benefit Lowndes County Imagination Library. Race begins and ends at the Columbus Riverwalk. Register by Aug. 12 for discounted $40 entry (and guaranteed T-shirt) at islandpaddlefest.org. Registration increases to $45-$50 for later sign-up. Race begins at 8 a.m. (Fans can enjoy a riverside Storytime with Mother Goose at 10 a.m.)
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