The Laurel downtown area has been under a great deal of construction as of late, but some of it is finally complete and it’s time to celebrate. You are personally invited to “Dancin’ in the Street,” a Central Avenue Block Party this Saturday, October 22.

Come celebrate with local merchants and new shops that grace the City Beautiful. Ribbon Cutting will be on Leontyne Price Blvd and Central Avenue at 12 p.m. but the fun doesn’t stop there. You’ll find something that everyone will enjoy. There will be live entertainment all day and you may purchase your libation of choice and food at the delicious restaurants in the area. If you’re a “Shop till you drop” kinda person — like me — there will be merchant specials and plenty of great shops for you to browse.

There will be giveaways and special events all day. A definite “must” on your agenda is a visit to The Bookstore in the Window. The small charming shop will have local authors, Vicki Baylis, signing books from 12 until 2 p.m. and Cyndie Lepori from 2 to 4 p.m. There will also be a sidewalk sale so that you can pick up a good read or two.

Red Fox Realty will be featuring a fun event. They have hidden fox figurines throughout Central Avenue and the businesses. Clues will be posted on their social media of where to go and directions will be given what you should when you find the foxes so that you can win a prize! This sounds like for a fun activity for every member of the family.

The Laurel-Jones County Library will be having a book sale, popcorn for purchase, and face painting. At Forever Nutrition, there will be giveaways all day as well as games and contests for the little ones.

Check out the beautiful displays in the windows at Office Products Center and Gifts. Browse all the great sales they will be featuring. Select HOBO purses will be 30% to 40% off, there will be a HOBO door prize drawing, and various discounts throughout the store.

From 12 to 2 p.m., Mr. Silly Sox will be at Be Amazing Paper Co., and the Laurel Love Letter Event will have 10% off all purchases from 12 to 2 p.m.

One of the latest additions to downtown is the very fun Selfie Gallery. You’ll have a blast taking selfies by yourself or with your friends in this delightful shop. They will be having a special for the day. It will be a two for one sale for $10 for 30 minutes of gallery time.

What’s that delicious aroma you smell in the air? It could be coming from a variety of great food shops and restaurants in the district, but it just might be the delicious wood smoked meats at the Knight Butcher that you smell. For the first time ever, the shop will be hosting a hamburger eating contest. The junior division will begin at 3:15 p.m. and the adults will begin at 3:45 on the patio stage. Winners will take home a trophy and “a bunch of “meat money.” Whether you’re up for the challenge or just want to take in the event, there is sure to be lots of entertainment.

After shopping all day, take all your receipts from Central Avenue businesses to Magnolia State Bank for a chance to win their “biggest spender contest,” receiving $500 cash. For more info, click here. 

Judy Smith has been a freelance writer and photographer for several magazines and publications around the South, including Social South Magazine, Our Mississippi Magazine, DeSoto Magazine, Deep South Magazine, Country Roads Magazine, among others. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Paralegal Studies, Master’s of Science in Mass Communications, and PhD in Communications at the University of Southern Mississippi. And Judy Smith is proud to forever be a Mississippi Girl.

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