Today
Walk for Diabetes — The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi hosts Mississippi’s Walk for Diabetes at 2 p.m. at the Columbus Riverwalk. Registration is at 1 p.m. For more information, call 601-957-7878, or email [email protected].
Monday, Oct. 22
Pumpkin Splash — The W holds its annual Pumpkin Splash from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Stark Recreation Center pool, open to the public. Entry fee is the price of the pumpkins, which range from $1-$6. For more information, call 662-241-7494.
Hazard Lecture Series — The 27th Annual Hazard Lecture Series presents World War I scholar and historian Andrew Pouncey at 7 p.m. with “The Long Shadow of World War I” at Heritage Elementary School, 623 Willowbrook Road in Columbus. Free. For more information, contact Beth Lucas, 662-327-1556, ext. 211.
Oct. 22 through Nov. 17
Citywide Turkey Drive — Donations of frozen turkeys are requested for an annual dinner delivered by volunteers to seniors in Columbus on Thanksgiving Day. Drop-off locations are the Columbus Police Department Lobby (Mon.-Thurs. 7 a.m.-6 p.m.); Salvation Army (Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed 12-12:30 p.m.); and Columbus Recreation Authority (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Monetary donations are also welcome. For information, contact Lt. Christian Smith of Salvation Army, 662-327-5137, or Joe Johnson, 662-549-4477.
Tuesday, Oct. 23
Michael Farris Smith — The author and Mississippi State alumnus will read from his latest novel, “The Fighter,” and sign copies at 7:30 p.m. in Colvard Student Union’s Fowlkes Auditorium on campus, presented by the College of Arts and Sciences. Open to the public. For more information, contact Michael Kardos, [email protected], 662-325-3644.
Wednesday, Oct. 24
Winning Wednesday Against Breast Cancer — The City of Columbus invites the community, churches and merchants to attend this event to honor and celebrate the lives of Breast Cancer Heroes at 5:30 p.m. at Columbus City Hall at 523 Main St.
Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 25-27
“Dancing at Lughnasa” — The W’s Department of Theatre presents this play at 7:30 p.m. in Cromwell Theatre on campus, at 10th Street and Sixth Avenue South. Tickets are $10 ($5 for students) in advance at Cromwell Communications Office. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Haunted House at The W — The W’s Leadership Program hosts a haunted house fundraiser from 8-11 p.m. in Taylor Hall on campus. Admission is $4. For more information, contact Student Life, 662-329-7350.
Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 25-28
“The Savannah Sipping Society” — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents this comedic play at 7 p.m. Oct. 25-26; at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Oct. 27; and at 2 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point. Limited seating. Tickets $12 at Petal Pushers and First United Methodist Church in West Point (cash and checks only).
Friday, Oct. 26
ACS art auction — Annunciation Catholic School presents an art auction and barbecue at 7 p.m. at Town Creek Pavilion in West Point, with live auction, open bar and artwork by local artisans and ACS students. For tickets, contact ACS, 662-328-4479 or [email protected].
Pumpkinpalooza — Wear costumes to trick-or-treat at Starkville’s Main Street merchants from 5-7 p.m. and take in pumpkin painting, face painting, a farmers market, jumpers and the Haunted Trolley. MSU Spirit Squads appear at 6 p.m., with Bully and MSU cheerleaders.
Masquerade Ball — Starkville Young Professionals hosts this event at 7:30 p.m. at Shorty’s at The Mill in Starkville. Semi-formal attire; cash bar. $5 entry fee.
Oct. 26-27, 29-31
Haunted House — The Community Benefit Committee presents this family-friendly experience at the Columbus Fairgrounds, Highway 69 South, from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 26-27, and from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 29-31. Proceeds benefit a city-wide holiday toy drive. Food, face painting, jumpers and music. Explore the haunted house by purchasing a $10 wristband. For information, contact Rhonda Sanders, [email protected] or 662-549-5909.
Saturday, Oct. 27
Fall Flashlight Hunt — Columbus Parks and Recreation hosts this event for children up to 12 from 5-8 p.m. at the Columbus Soccer Complex, 406 Third St. N. Enjoy jumpers, hayrides, cartoon characters and prizes. Bring a flashlight. Concessions available. Call 662-327-4935 for more information.
Art in Autumn Auction — The W’s 14th annual Art in Autumn silent and live auctions of original artwork begins at 6 p.m. in Summer Hall MUW Galleries on campus. Presented by Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity, the event is open to the public. For information, contact Ian Childers at [email protected] or 662-241-7814.
Sunday, Oct. 28
Sunday Funday — The last Sunday Funday of the season is 3-9 p.m. on University Drive (between Hartness and Janigan Streets) in Starkville. Kids activities take place in the Parthenon. This mini arts and music fest includes inflatables, face painting and more. Halloween costumes are welcome.
Thursday, Nov. 1
Community Thanksgiving Service — This annual Columbus event presented by the Christian Community in Prayer committee begins at 6 p.m. at the Frank P. Phillips YMCA, 602 Second Avenue S. It will be led by Bo Jeffares, Eli Box, James Black, Sandra DePriest and George Irby. For more information, email [email protected].
Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 1-3
Art ‘N’ Antiques — A complimentary wine and cheese preview party from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 1 opens this decorative arts and antiques show and sale at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, Columbus. Ella Benton of Vivian Estelle Designs speaks about Swedish Mora Clocks at 9 a.m. Nov. 2 (complimentary tickets at Visit Columbus, 117 Third St. S.). The show and sale is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 2, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3. For more information, contact Visit Columbus, 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Friday, Nov. 2
Citywide Tailgate — This United Way of North Central Mississippi fundraiser from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in and near downtown Starkville features foods by businesses and participants vying for the title of Best Citywide Tailgater. $5 wristbands. For information, call 662-323-3830 or email [email protected].
Friday through Sunday, Nov. 2-4
Christmas Open House — Downtown Columbus participating merchants present Christmas Open House from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 2-3; select stores will be open 1-5 p.m. Nov. 4.
Sunday, Nov. 4
Fall and Winter Floral Design Show — Floral designer Ralph Null demonstrates the art of creating seasonal floral designs at 2 p.m. at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. An auction of arrangements follows the program. A light reception is included. Tickets are $20 in advance at columbus-arts.org or 662-328-2787; $25 at the door.
Friday, Nov. 9
Symphony Family Concert — The Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra presents this free concert with a patriotic focus at 7:30 p.m. at Lee Hall on the Mississippi State campus. For more information, visit starkvillesymphony.org.
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10
Ghosts & Legends Tours — Explore Columbus lore at historic sites as local perfomers reenact colorful characters from the past. Bus tours depart the Tennessee Williams Home, 300 Main St., at 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for Columbus Arts Council members; $15 for non-members, at columbus-arts.org, or 662-328-2787 (closed Mondays).
Saturday, Nov. 10
Starkville Veterans Parade — A 10 a.m. parade beginning and ending at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse on Starkville’s Main Street will be followed by a musical tribute at 11 a.m. at the courthouse, all presented by KMG Creations. For information, contact Kayla Gilmore at [email protected] or 662-648-7382.
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