The residents of Pontotoc, Mississippi, invite everyone to come to their 30th Annual Bodock Festival this Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14.
For anyone unfamiliar with this annual celebration, the first question might be what in the world is a “bodock?”
Well, this a yearly celebration commemorates a very familiar tree that once grew profusely in Pontotoc County. Old-timers often called it a hedge apple or horse apple tree because the large, ugly fruit that fell from its branches looked like a hard, misshapen apple that even horses were reluctant to eat.
The small deciduous bodock tree is officially known as the Maclura pomifera. But because of its yellow-orange interior, it was also known as the Osage orange tree and can be traced back to the Red River Valley of Oklahoma and the Osage Indians who once lived there.
Later, French settlers to America called it the bois d’arc or bow-wood tree because native American Indians used its hardwood to make their bows. Eventually called the bodark or bodock tree, multiple tribes of Indians other than the Osage were reported to have traveled long distances to procure this highly desired bow-making wood. So, it’s no wonder that when various tribes migrated westward to Mississippi as early as 1300 A.D., they brought bodock seeds with them to this area.
Then, as settlers arrived and began farming in North Mississippi, long before the invention of barbed wire, they soon learned to plant the bodock trees as a natural hedge or fence line to keep their precious livestock from wandering and denote their lines of land ownership.
So, yes, the bodock tree deserves to be recognized for its place in Mississippi history, and Pontotoc is the place to celebrate!
Visitors to this weekend’s Bodock Festival in Pontotoc might want to kick things off early on both days with the traditional pancake breakfast sponsored by the Pontotoc Fire Department. Just drop by the fire station at 116 North Main Street anytime between 6 and10 a.m. for a delicious breakfast for only $5 per plate.
Then, the next question is whether to walk up or down Main Street, since fun and festivities will be going on throughout downtown Pontotoc.
On Saturday, make sure to head over toward the annual Antique Car and Tractor Show which will be held in the parking lot of Pontotoc Jr. High, just north of the fire station. The show starts at 8 a.m. and will feature a wide range of cars, trucks, and tractors from every make and model. It is a highlight of the festival each year.
But that is only the beginning! There is something for every member of the family, including arts and crafts booths, food vendors galore, live theater, train rides, and a special section with inflatables, rides, a petting zoo, and hands-on activities just for the kids.
For those who are a bit more adventurous, why not take a ride along the beautiful Tanglefoot Trail in the annual Tour de Bodock? Go to https://raceroster.com/events/2024/87125/tour-de-bodock-bicycle-rides-2024 for entry information.
Of course, no Mississippi festival is complete without some homegrown entertainment, and the Bodock Festival 2024 has an amazing lineup of music for both nights on the Pontotoc County Courthouse Stage. The slate of performers includes Springville Chapel Choir, El Chavalon, Leo Mask and the County Mounties, as well as Joe Austin and the Tallahatchies.
And this year’s festival will end with a truly grand finale on Saturday night, featuring Mississippi’s own Chapel Hart performing from 8 to 10 p.m.
So, don’t miss the fun! Come to Pontotoc and celebrate the Bodock Festival 2024 this weekend, September 13 and 14.
