Browsing: Living

Labor Day weekend has always felt like Mississippi’s grand finale of summer—a few last golden days before the light changes and football season takes over our weekends. Here in the Magnolia State, we know how to stretch a holiday into a memory, and Labor Day is one of our favorite excuses to do just that.

In case you have not figured it out yet, balloon arches are a must-have item for all celebrations and important events. 

Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a baby gender reveal, a wedding shower, a graduation party, or a corporate event, the appropriate balloon arch is the piéce de résistance.

August is unarguably the hottest month of the year— especially when you factor in the extreme Mississippi humidity. It is easy to retreat to our homes and sit under the air conditioner—waiting for cooler days, but where is the fun in that? Below are five ways to make the rest of your summer an enjoyable experience. 

There’s a moment in a Mississippi August evening when the sun lets go of the day and everything turns golden. The heat doesn’t leave, exactly—it just stretches out and settles in like your Aunt Shirley on the porch swing after supper. Crickets start their tuning, cicadas take over the rhythm section, and somewhere in the distance, someone’s radio hums out a country song that knows something about heartache and humidity.

Despite the raging temperatures, summer is quickly drawing to a close. And here in Mississippi, the advent of autumn means the loss of two precious commodities, homegrown tomatoes and watermelons. 

There’s just something about Mississippi.

Maybe it’s the way the sun rises over a field of cotton, or how the wind moves through pine trees in the early morning, humming the kind of melody you can only hear in the South. Maybe it’s the smell of rain on red clay roads, or the way an iced-down Coke and a front porch swing can solve just about anything. Mississippi isn’t loud or flashy, but it doesn’t have to be—it speaks in stories, in soul, and in a kind of strength that’s quietly unwavering.

Mississippi may be daydreaming of pumpkin spice and cool breezes, but don’t pack up those fans and umbrellas just yet. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, fall 2025 in the Magnolia State is shaping up to be a scorcher—with a twist of unpredictability.

Tucked away in the rolling hills of North Mississippi, Grenada Lake stands as one of the true crown jewels of the Magnolia State’s outdoor destinations. Spanning an impressive 35,000 acres, this flood-control reservoir is not just the largest freshwater lake in Mississippi — it’s also one of the most beloved stops on the Mississippi Crappie Trail.

Sending kids back to school is a bittersweet time of the year. Yes, moms and dads are ready for the return to a school-based routine. (A lot of kids are too, if the truth is told.) But the loss of that slower, relaxed schedule and the reality of less time together as a family is sad. Plus, summer is just fun, filled with comfy clothes, outdoor fun, and more spontaneity.

Ready or not … it is time for Mississippi kids to head back to school. 

Of course, that also means it is time to buy new clothes and school supplies. For parents that can be a daunting, expensive, time-consuming task. But for grandmothers like me, shopping for school supplies is a yearly adventure filled with laughter, good food, and lots of cash. 

Mississippi knows how to make an impression—and now the rest of the country is catching on. Tucked in the rolling hills of Oktibbeha County, the vibrant city of Starkville has just been named the No. 1 Small Town to Visit in the South by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. That’s right—Starkville topped the list, and anyone who’s ever spent a Saturday strolling through downtown or cheering on the Bulldogs knows exactly why.

Nothing says summer like ice cream! National Ice Cream Day, celebrated annually on the third Sunday in July, was officially declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. He also proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month. This action aimed to recognize the popularity of ice cream and the importance of the dairy industry. The day is now widely celebrated with various ice cream promotions and events. 

In the heart of Yalobusha County, where small-town charm meets Southern celebration, Water Valley is gearing up once again for one of Mississippi’s most beloved summer traditions—the Watermelon Carnival, now in its 51st year. Always set for the first Friday and Saturday in August, this iconic event transforms historic Main Street into a lively festival that draws an estimated 20,000 visitors annually.

Most people don’t think twice about a shoebox. It’s one of those everyday items that serves its purpose and gets tucked away without much thought. But the origin of the shoebox? That story begins in Mississippi—and it’s a good one.

Tucked along the southern edge of the Magnolia State, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a hidden gem that offers a rich blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. With 62 miles of scenic shoreline, charming coastal towns, and some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet, the Gulf Coast is where Southern hospitality truly meets the sea.

Mississippi shoppers, mark your calendars! The 2025 Sales Tax Holiday is happening next weekend—from Friday, July 11, through Sunday, July 13—giving you a chance to score some serious savings.