With the long-awaited arrival of Spring, there comes another great feature to this wonderful season—Spring festivals. One of the top Spring festivals that continues to grow each year is HubFest which is scheduled for this Saturday, March, 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Hattiesburg. The very fun family-centered festival is one of the most anticipated events in the Hub City.
From its humble beginnings as a showcase for the arts, the city, and the many talented artisans in the region, the festival has grown into one of the state’s top festivals. From its beginnings in the early 1980s, the city could have never imagined how big and popular the festival would soon be.
“A group of members from the then, Hattiesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, saw the need to showcase the treasures of the Pine Belt,” Vanessa Henson, Director of Communications and Events for the Area Development and Partnership of Greater Hattiesburg, said. “From 1985 to 2003, great weather, a strong economy, university town, stellar medical community, small and large thriving businesses are all things worth celebrating her in Greater Hattiesburg. What began as The Good Life Down South Festival—A Celebration, later became known as HubFest—a combination of Hub City and festival.”
From those modest beginnings, the festival has continued to grow in leaps and bounds since those early days and is a popular event that attracts thousands to Hattiesburg. “It has absolutely grown into a major spring festival that so many look forward to each year,” Henson said. “We estimate thousands of attendees each year not only from the Pine Belt but from neighboring states, including Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee. We have seen festival guests commenting, tagging, and sharing, travel plans on the HubFest social media accounts. We are so proud to have a fabulous group of sponsors, vendors, band acts, volunteers, and faithful community of festival goers that continue to create HubFest as such a premiere festival of the South.”
Hubfest continues to be a wonderful outing for the whole family as you’ll find something that everyone will enjoy at the fest. There is always great food, fabulous music, beautiful arts and crafts, and tons of fun and games for the kids in the downtown celebration.
“HubFest is a multi-street festival and is packed with things to see and do throughout the day!” Henson said. “There are over 200 food, craft, and business vendors all with unique messages, products, and food items. There will be four stages of live music including festival headliner country artist Kameron Marlowe on the Main Stage at 3:30 and opener Ella Langley at 1:30 p.m. There is a stage of music in Town Square Park, Walnut Stage, and the Post Office Stage all with wonderful bands beginning at 10 a.m.”
To keep you informed and in the know about event times, vendors, and locations of attractions, festival organizers have incorporated the use of some very helpful technology right at your fingertips to make sure that you don’t miss any of your favorite events or vendors.
“The official HubFest app will be released before the festival so that festival goers can search for their favorite vendors and find them on the map,” Henson said. “They can also set reminders to see the different bands, and more!”
While there is so much to see and do at the festival, Hubfest has made it a main priority has to offer. Bring chairs for the entire family, grab food from your favorite vendor and have a seat in Town Square Park or check out vehicles on display from local automotive groups. Let the children jump until the festival ends and before you leave, don’t forget to purchase your t-shirts to commemorate the amazing day you just experienced. HubFest 2023 is waiting on YOU!” that the little ones have a great time at the festival, and there are so many activities and games that all the kids will love. Plus, there are always lots of arts and crafts activities for the little ones to embrace and express their creativity.
“The HubFest Healthy Kids Zone features multiple jump houses and inflatables,” Henson said. “A $10 wristband provides all day play and access to a covered rest area nearby for the accompanying adults.”
For so many, a visit to HubFest is a rite of passage to usher in the Spring season, and they wouldn’t miss it for anything. If you’ve never been to the festival, there’s no better time than this year to experience this fun, wholesome event that celebrates the community and the many talents of those that live here and come to visit the Hub City. Henson extends a very warm invitation on behalf the organizers, the Area Development Partnership and presenting sponsors, the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, the City of Hattiesburg, and Hattiesburg Coca-Cola as the official beverage sponsor of the fest.
“HubFest is a one-stop shop for a Saturday adventure,” Henson said. “Not only are there over 200 vendors to purchase everything from body butters to crawfish nachos, but there are also downtown merchants where you can experience a bit of what Downtown Hattiesburg has to offer. Bring chairs for the entire family, grab food from your favorite vendor and have a seat in Town Square Park or check out vehicles on display from local automotive groups. Let the children jump until the festival ends and before you leave, don’t forget to purchase your t-shirts to commemorate the amazing day you just experienced. HubFest 2023 is waiting on YOU!”