Uncover the Charm: Top 7 Must-Know Fun Facts About Jackson, Mississippi

1. Dixie National Rodeo Extravaganza

In Jackson, Mississippi, it's not all cowboy hats and spurs, but when the rodeo comes to town, you better hold onto your horse: The Dixie National Rodeo and Livestock Show is a $20 million annual extravaganza, attracting over 100,000 visitors and earning its stripes as one of the largest professional rodeos east of the Mississippi River, including a nod as a Top 5 Large Indoor Rodeo for five years running, and featuring the wholesome moral compass of Miss Dixie National as its charming ambassador.
Source => missrodeomississippi.com

2. City Named After General Jackson

If Alexander Hamilton had been a city planner, he might have said, "hey sis, after the Battle of New Orleans, they named a whole town after your favorite general!": Jackson, Mississippi was established as the new state capital and christened in honor of General Andrew Jackson for his notable role during the War of 1812. Historically, it played host to major manufacturing efforts for the Confederacy in the Civil War, but alas, Union forces pillaged the city, leaving history buffs to wonder: "what if?" Nevertheless, time travelers can still catch a glimpse of the past as the Governor's Mansion and the Old Capitol building, home to the state legislature from 1839 to 1903, stand strong in defiance of time's ravages.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know Elvis Presley's journey to stardom began in a tiny two-room shack in Tupelo, Mississippi? Discover more about the King's humble beginnings!

=> Fun Facts about Mississippi

3. B.B. King's Unforgettable Night

For those seeking an "Unforgettable Night" with the king of blues – no, not Cinderella's Prince Charming but the iconic B.B. King: His annual homecoming event has graced Indianola, Mississippi for 33 years, where he serenades his loving fans with the sweet sound of music, while remaining the epitome of grace, humility, and true Mississippi spirit.
Source => wlbt.com

4. Nutty Mississippi Peanut Festival

In a nutty turn of events, Jackson, Mississippi becomes the peanut Mecca every fall: The annual Mississippi Peanut Festival takes place on the first weekend of October at Mitchell Farms in Collins, where folks can enjoy hayrides, a kid-sized town, a corn maze, antique tractors, and arts and crafts vendors, as well as freshly harvested green peanuts, Super Jumbo and Virginia peanuts, and peanut brittle.
Source => ourmshome.com

5. Jurassic-Aquatic Mississippi Museum

In a land where deer and dinosaurs roam together, and fish hold court in a 100,000-gallon aquarium empire, there's a place that's part Jurassic World, part Aquaman's lair, and 100% Mississippi madness: Welcome to Jackson's MDWFP Museum of Natural Science, a wondrous realm housing over 200 living species, six absurdly large 3-D dinosaur models, and exhibits that truly immerse you in the wild wetlands of "The Swamp." Their annual family-friendly events take the fun to prehistoric levels, with epic celebrations like NatureFEST, Fossil Road Show, and Park After Dark.
Source => mdwfp.com

6. Eudora Welty's Literary Legacy

Where there's a Welty, there's a way: Eudora Welty, the illustrious author and photographer, not only sprouted in Jackson, Mississippi, but also blossomed amidst its Southern charm, attending local schools and even working the airwaves at a nearby radio station before her writing career took flight. Those keen on literary field trips can embark on a journey to the Eudora Welty House and Garden, a National Historic Landmark that proudly showcases her Tudor Revival-style abode, a testament to her life's prose and roses.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Roaring Gatsby-esque Jackson

Once upon a jazz-filled 1920s, Jackson was like the roaring Mississippi Gatsby, swinging to its own beat as the population bubbled over like bathtub gin: Jackson, Mississippi surpassed Meridian as the most populous city in the state during this era, thanks to a speculative natural gas boom that transformed it into a thriving hub of commerce and industry. Sadly, those high-spirited times waned, leaving Jackson at 149th in the US population ranking as of the 2020 census.
Source => en.wikipedia.org