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The Cleveland Farm Toy Show is an annual event in Cleveland, Mississippi, that brings together collectors and enthusiasts to buy, sell, and trade vintage and modern farm toys, including tractors, trucks, and RC models. It features vendors, displays, and handmade items at the Bolivar County Expo Center. It’s a family-friendly event where people can relive memories and see detailed farm scenes, with proceeds supporting local initiatives like FFA (Future Farmers of America) and offering a fun experience.

In its thirteenth season, The Cleveland Farm Toy Show got its start in Clarksdale, Mississippi, which was inspired by a show in Memphis, Tennessee.  

“This is a hobby I’ve had for a long time,” shared Blake Andrews, owner and director of the Cleveland Farm Toy Show. “I did it with my parents and my grandparents. And when the previous show promoter decided it was time to hang it up, I came along and decided I wanted to do it.”

Many children, especially in agricultural communities like those in the Mississippi Delta, grow up “carpet farming,” a beloved imaginative play activity where children use toy farm equipment, often on a carpet or rug, to mimic real-life farming operations.  The nostalgia is one reason people of all ages will drive from all over to attend, hoping to find a piece left out of their collection or take home something timeless for the children in their lives.

“People from Mississippi to Arkansas, Louisiana, even from Texas and farther away,” shared Andrews.

Collectors and children aren’t the only fans of Farm Toys. Some who grew up “carpet farming” go on to create works of art, creating highly detailed, often custom-built miniature displays of rural dioramas designed to replicate real-life farming operations, which are then judged at specialized shows.  Competition often focuses on creativity, accuracy, and scale, frequently at events like the National Farm Toy Show in Dyersville, Iowa.

“I always grew up carpet farming with out-of-the-box toys from John Deere,” shared Ethan Hildabrand. “My dad and I were looking at the Delta Farm press one night, saw Blake’s Farm Toy Show, and asked to go. I started getting into custom models, and finally, I built my first display.”

Participants who compete with their farm displays rarely use toys directly off the shelf. Instead, they “tweak” toys or hand-build them to create unique, realistic models. Displays are often built in specific scales to provide a realistic replica. Competitors get creative with materials to mimic real farm elements.  Winning displays often feature specific, complex agricultural tasks, such as lagoon pumping, harvesting, or robotic feeding systems.

“Whenever I set out to build a display, I like to ride around my farming community between Bentonia and Satarsha, Mississippi, and look at stuff,” shared Hildabrand. “When I get inspired, I’ll take a picture of it, and have that laid out on my table when I display, and provide a story about how it relates to me in real life.”

You don’t have to be a farmer to enjoy these events or dabble in display competitions. It is a fun opportunity for any agricultural enthusiast.

Mississippians have long memories when it comes to weather. We remember hurricanes by name, floods by river height, and winter storms by the silence that follows when the power goes out and the world turns glassy and still. That’s why this week’s forecast has many North Mississippi families thinking back to February 1994.

MOSS POINT—In marketing, a product has hit big when the brand name is used for all brands and varieties of a product.  For instance, the word “Kleenex” is used to refer to any tissue in a box or package meant for cleaning dirty noses.

In Vicksburg, the Mississippi River doesn’t just flow — it speaks. It moves slowly and deliberately, thick and muddy, carrying…

BILOXI—Laissez les bon temps roulez! While Mardi Gras season is only celebrated between January 6 and Fat Tuesday, the celebration continues year ‘round in Biloxi with a visit to the Mardi Gras Museum.

This Saturday at 3:00 p.m., a group of Pike County performers will take the stage at the Ford Center in Oxford as part of the Mississippi Theatre Festival. The production is free and open to the public, with ASL interpreters present. What makes the performance especially meaningful, however, is who is standing under the lights.

BILOXI—Many people make New Year resolutions, but Sandra Moss doesn’t.  Instead, she makes life resolutions and listens to her inner calling.

“If something in you keeps calling, listen,” she said. “Sometimes the bravest thing you can do isn’t starting over; it’s finally starting true. And remember: age isn’t the barrier; hesitation is.”

Shay and Michi Guess from Mantachie, Mississippi, are a dynamic musical duo, known for their diverse sound and spiritually driven lyrics. For three decades, their powerful vocals, soulful melodies, and talented band members have created music that resonates with their community and generation. Even though Shay and Michi were born worlds apart, once connected, they’ve never looked back.

MOSS POINT—Nothing changes if nothing changes.  Read that again and understand the meaning behind those five simple words. These words are part of a monthly post encouraging volunteers to be a positive influence in the Moss Point community.

GULFPORT — What began as a father’s mission to create a place where his daughter could feel included has grown into a thriving nonprofit serving hundreds of individuals with special needs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 

I remember the first photo I saw of Markel Bell standing next to my husband, Les George, during his time coaching at Holmes Community College. At 6-foot-9 and approximately 345 pounds, Markel’s size immediately stood out.

Some Mississippi traditions are built on competition. Others are built on community. And then there are the special ones—like Biloxi’s annual Arbor Day Run—that manage to do both while making room for everyone along the way.

MOSS POINT—The All-American Soap Box Derby youth gravity racing program has been operating since 1934, and the only way residents of Mississippi can get to the current International Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, is through Moss Point.

Tucked into the heart of Summit, Buzy Beez Bookstore is one of those places that quietly reminds you why independent bookstores matter so much.

Evan Phelps of Gautier recently participated in and earned three gold medals in the World Martial Arts Games Committee in Oslo, Norway. That in itself is impressive. What makes it even more impressive is that months earlier he had been seriously injured in a car accident and his participation in the Games seemed uncertain.

There’s something charming about the way Mississippi rings in the new year. Sure, other places watch a polished crystal ball fall in Times Square, but we prefer seafood, anchors, glowing signs, and celebrations that feel like home. In Mississippi, we drop what we love — and sometimes we keep it classic too.