Tuesday, Aug. 5
Night Out on Crime — The Columbus Police Department hosts block parties with food, entertainment and school supply giveaways in observance of National Night Out on Crime, from 5-9 p.m. at the Sim Scott Community Center, Townsend Community, Sandfield Community and East Columbus Gym. For more information, contact Officer Rhonda Sanders, 662-251-7355.
Saturday, Aug. 9
Dog Paddle Pool Party — The fourth annual Dog Paddle at the Moncrief Park Pool in Starkville is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring canine friends to splash and play at this Oktibbeha County Humane Society fundraiser. Pre-admission through Aug. 4 is $20, or $25 Aug. 9. Dogs must be current on vaccinations; go to ochsms.org for other rules, or call 662-338-9093.
Partial to Home — The Columbus Arts Council presents an intimate musical evening with Columbus musicians Paul Brady, Bo Jeffares, Dale Robertson and Roger Truesdale. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. (The Twangtown Paramours concert and workshops originally scheduled Aug. 9 are regrettably canceled due to illness.) For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Tuesday, Aug. 12
Town & Tower — Town & Tower hosts a summer breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in the President’s Dining Room in Mississippi University for Women’s Hogarth Dining Center. MUW President Dr. Jim Borsig will present a university update. Cost is $12. Make reservations by Aug. 7 via email at [email protected] or call 662-329-7148.
So & So — The Columbus Arts Council begins a series of arts evenings for adults on the second Tuesday of each month, August through December. Sessions with different art mediums and instructors, paired with light spirits, make for unique experiences. The first So & So Aug. 12 is 6-8 p.m.: “Bottles and Brushes” with Mysti Guthery. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Possum Town Triathlon — Swim, bike and run in the third annual triathlon in Columbus. The race begins at 7 a.m. at the boat ramps off Wilkins-Wise Road. Get details and register at possumtowntriathlon.com.
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Merle Haggard — The Mississippi State Lyceum Series presents Merle Haggard at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium. Tickets are $45-$80. Contact the Center for Student Activities, 662-325-2930 or visit lyceum.msstate.edu.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Denim & Diamonds — This benefit for the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum includes a barbecue dinner, square dancing, silent auction, raffle, complimentary wine and beer and a DJ. Tickets to the 6:30 p.m. event at the Starkville Country Club are $40 at the museum, The Book Mart or ERA Realty in Starkville. Or call 662-323-0211.
Wednesday, Aug. 27
Starkville’s Get Swept Up — Sign up to volunteer for the 11th annual Get Swept Up event, a city-wide clean-up day in Starkville. Volunteers get a T-shirt and are provided cleaning supplies. Contact the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 662-323-3322, or go to chamber.starkville.org.
Friday, Aug. 29
Howlin’ Wolf Memorial Blues Festival — This 19th annual blues fest features George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Carolyn Wonderland, Lightnin’ Malcolm & Stud, and Mr. Sip at the Mary Holmes College Auditorium in West Point. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Get tickets at the Columbus Arts Council, in Starkville at Jack Forbus Insurance, and in West Point at Culin-Arts. Or online at wpnet.org. For information, contact Richard Ramsey, 662-605-0770 or [email protected]. The festival is presented by the Prairie Belt Blues Foundation.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Prairie Arts Festival — The 36th annual Prairie Arts Festival in downtown West Point features fine arts, crafts, Southern cooking, four stages of live music, classic cars, Kidsville and more from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A 5K race begins at 8 a.m. This Top 10 Southeast Tourism Society event includes more than 600 exhibits. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
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