The North Mississippi State Fair kicks off its Summer Celebration

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Summer fun is heating up at the Batesville Civic Center, and the excitement continues to build for a good cause.

The North Mississippi State Fair and Panola County’s Sheriff’s Rodeo will take place Thursday through Sunday.

All proceeds from the North Mississippi State Fair and Panola County Sheriff’s Rodeo benefit Grace Place and The Encounter Center – JR’s House.

“The fair and the rodeo combined is a tremendous help for us and for JR’s house. We can’t do what we do without the support of the community,” said Chris Pope, Executive Director of Grace Place. “The community has been very good to us. Getting this support is going to able us to go deeper with individuals and families to help people through their hardest times.”

There will be endless activities for those who attend the Summer Celebration kickoff. Kids will be able to enjoy many fun activities like goat roping.

Live music is expected Thursday night until 10 p.m., and there will also be delicious fair food, rides, and games.

Wristbands for rides are $30, and Kids 55 pounds or less can ride goats or sheep.

The Bull riding, which starts at 7 p.m., has been something Rodeo organizer Jeremy Smith has dreamed of doing for the community for years.

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“Originally, when I first thought about it, the fair they used to have a little north of here, they used to have a big 10 rodeo, and they no longer have that and I was like, you know that was always really good,” said Smith. “I like to bring it back to North Mississippi. I said you know I would really love to have a big rodeo and a state fair.”

After the rodeo, you can enjoy the concert by the local group Class Act. With all the fun activities, Sheriff Shane Phelps explains how he plans to keep this event safe.

“Basically what we’ve done is we have fenced in the fair side and also we’re putting panels of gates up so there’s one way in and one way out. To check people, we put out on Facebook and social media clear bags only, clear purses,” said Shane Phelps, Panola County sheriff. “We have my department here, five-star security, and also the Mississippi patrol and Oxford PD patrol, so we’re doing everything that we can to make sure this has been safe for everyone that comes out.”

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