Today
Octoberfest for the Arts — This family-friendly fundraiser from 1-6 p.m. includes live music, seasonal beer samplings and art, hosted at Zachary’s, 205 Fifth St. N., downtown Columbus, to benefit the Columbus Arts Council. $10 cash donation. For information, contact Colin Krieger, 662-329-7653.
Special Mother Goose Story Hour — Three – to five-year-olds are invited to this event from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Stephen D. Lee Home, 316 Seventh St. N, Columbus. Stories will be read on the original Story Hour rug made by citizens of Columbus in the 1970s. Lemonade and cookies will be served.
Tuesday, Oct. 9
Jazz at Renasant — The Starkville/MSU Symphony Jazz Combo performs jazz, swing and popular ballads at this 6 p.m. outdoor concert at Renasant Plaza, 500 E. Lampkin St., Starkville. Free to the public.
Thursday, Oct. 11
Books and Authors — Friends of the Starkville Library host Michael Farris Smith at noon to discuss and sign copies of his novel “The Fighter.” Refreshments served at 11:30 a.m.
Claude Bourbon in concert — The Columbus Arts Council presents this UK-based guitar virtuoso at 7:30 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Bourbon performs an acoustic fusion of classical, Spanish, blues, jazz and folk guitar. Get tickets or information at columbus-arts.org, or contact the CAC, 662-328-2787 (closed Mondays.)
Friday, Oct. 12
Oktoberfest — The W hosts its annual Oktoberfest event from 5-8 p.m. at the Bryan Green Gazebo on campus. Students organizations will set up tables for food, crafts, games and other entertainment. A costume contest (with all age divisions) begins at 6 p.m. (register from 5-5:45 p.m.) Rain location: Pohl Gym.
Saturday, Oct. 13
Art in the Park — This free children’s arts fest from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at McKee Park in Starkville includes demos and hands-on activities in painting, clay, chalk, drama, dancing and more, presented by the Starkville Area Arts Council. Visit starkvillearts.org.
Makin’ Hay Day — West Point’s fall farmers market celebration for the whole family includes hayrides, music, arts and crafts, homemade soup and more, from 9 a.m.-noon in Sally Kate Winters Park downtown. For information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Starkville Community Day — This seventh annual event includes from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. a health fair, games, kick ball tournament and more, followed by an open mic 3-4 p.m., gospel music 4-6 p.m. and entertainment 6-11 p.m. For information, contact Anita Lindsey, 662-648-7171.
Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 18-20
Eudora Welty Writers Symposium — Mississippi University for Women hosts the 30th annual Welty Symposium featuring keynote author Steve Yarbrough, plus best-selling author Brad Meltzer at the Welty Gala Oct. 29, plus many more writers during this celebration of Southern literature. For information, visit muw.edu/welty or call 662-329-7386.
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19-20
Caledonia Days — Caledonia’s 15th annual festival opens with a concert Oct. 19 with Rodney Atkins and Hudson Moore at Ola J. Pickett Park. On Oct. 20, arts, crafts and food vendors, children’s area, antique car and truck show, a 5K color run, pie-eating contest and live entertainment fill the downtown area. Concert tickets are $15 (free for children 4 and under) at eventbrite.com; gate opens 6 p.m. Lawn chairs welcome; no coolers or pets. Get information at 662-251-2875 or [email protected].
Saturday, Oct. 20
Canoe Day — Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge hosts free canoeing at Bluff Lake from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Canoes, kayaks, life jackets and paddles are provided free. For more information, contact the visitor center, 662-323-5548.
Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 25-27
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.
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. A live auction and open bar highlight this event with art 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. Those wishing to explore the haunted house may purchase a $10 wristband. For information, contact Rhonda Sanders, [email protected] or 662-549-5909.
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.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.