America’s 250th birthday party may be over, but the summer fun is just getting started in Mississippi. In fact, several local summer celebrations are slated for this weekend, offering multiple opportunities for fun, food, and fellowship.
Here’s a look at just a few of those upcoming Mississippi events:
- Starting in the northeastern corner of our state, the 2026 Slugburger Festival takes place in Corinth, Mississippi, Friday and Saturday, July 9-11. The festival started in the 1980s and celebrates the unique burger combo of ground beef and some type of filler, first created in 1917 by Corinth native, John Weeks. This money-saving burger sold back then for a nickel, also called a “slug.” Like most annual community celebrations, the 2026 Slugburger Festival offers attendees the beloved slugburger and other delicious foods, as well as live musical performances, a family carnival, the Slug Market, a Miss Slugburger Pageant, and a Slug Idol competition for this year’s best vocalist. There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy, so go to https://corinth.net/slugburger-festival for more information.
- A few miles southwest, the Cherry Creek Orchards Peach Festival 2026 invites people to Pontotoc, Mississippi, this Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. This one-day event promises good food, great vendors, arts and crafts, live musical performances, Putt-n-Play events, a mechanical bull, and other fun activities for all ages. Of course, the highlight of the day is the opportunity to taste and take home some of our state’s most delicious peaches. This beautiful orchard is located at 4660 MS-345, Pontotoc, Mississippi. The official Cherry Creek Orchards Peach Festival Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/p/Cherry-Creek-Orchards-Peach-Festival-100069371843746/) offers more details on this Saturday’s event.
- Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/1000-washington-ave-ocean-springs-ms-united-states-mississippi-39564/21st-annual-red-white-and-blueberry-festival/998795392871225/) is also a great source of information for the 21st Annual Red, White, and Blueberry Festival, which was rescheduled due to weather and will take place Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in downtown Ocean Springs, Mississippi. This family-friendly festival is billed as an extravagant culinary adventure centered on blueberry-filled delights. But the festival is much more than a foodie’s party, although free fruit-filled ice cream is hard to beat. Since the event takes place as part of the vibrant Ocean Springs Fresh Market, it will feature delicious locally grown blueberries and other fresh produce. And due to its rescheduled date, it now runs concurrently with the town’s annual July Sidewalk Sale Weekend. As such, numerous vendors will line the downtown sidewalks, alongside live entertainment and live cooking demonstrations. So, make plans now to join the red, white, and blueberry fun in downtown Ocean Springs.
So, there we have it … one, two, three festivals from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to the northeastern corner of our state. Each one presents unique opportunities to experience Southern hospitality at its finest. But there’s lots more to do in our state this weekend. Go to www.visitmississippi.org for ideas and information.
