PASCAGOULA—Zonta…it isn’t just a festival, but to the Jackson County community, Zonta is synonymous for a fun day of shopping and entertainment along the streets in downtown Pascagoula.
Since 1977, the local chapter of Zonta International has been hosting this popular festival on the first Saturday in October. Over the years it has grown beyond its original Delmas Street location and now stretches throughout the downtown area creating a route for festivalgoers to see every vender.
The stage is set for the 2025 Zonta Arts and Crafts Festival on Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sandy LeBatard, vice president of Zonta and chairperson for the festival, is excited about some of the changes for this year and is already beginning to plan for the 50th anniversary in 2027.
“This year marks the 48th annual festival carrying on a legacy of community, creativity and service,” Mrs. LeBatard said. “The annual arts and crafts festival is our signature fundraiser with proceeds benefitting scholarships and local organizations that support women and families.”
Zonta International is a global service organization dedicated to empowering women through service and advocacy. The local chapter is a small organization that makes a big impact in the community with the nearly $30,000 in proceeds generated through this festival.
Since its inception, the festival has grown from a small neighborhood event into a signature downtown tradition filling more streets each year with vendors, merchants and community fun.
“What once fit on one block now stretches across Delmas Avenue, Watts Avenue and Pascagoula Street,” she said. “This setup creates a vibrant marketplace that keeps expanding with demand and popularity.”
The annual Zonta Festival welcomes more than 3,000 visitors each year. Admission is free for this south Mississippi, must-do tradition. Its success, Mrs. LeBatard said, is credited to community collaboration, and that local merchants, sponsors, volunteers and vendors all support Zonta’s mission.
“The shared spirit, and the knowledge that every booth supports scholarships and service projects, makes the event meaningful as well as fun,” she added.
Highlights for the 2026 festival include a new layout with vendor booths setting up in the middle of the street so that the sidewalks are open for foot traffic and downtown merchants. Also, rather than crossing Magnolia Street on Delmas Avenue, the festival will create a sort of circle by utilizing Watts Avenue and Pascagoula Street. One last highlight includes an early visit from the big man in a red suit…Santa Claus.
“As always, the festival will be a showcase of unique arts, crafts and foods and a great venue that is perfect for holiday shopping and exploring local creativity,” Mrs. LeBatard said. “And look for the “face frames” this year that spotlight our sponsors and create a fun backdrop for snapshots.”
This year’s festival includes 192 vendors with 214 booths. That is an increase of nearly 30 vendors and booths from last year as it continues to recover from Covid cancellations. This is the second year in a row to for Mary Ann Holland to participate in Zonta with her embroidery and wood crafts. She said she has been a longtime supporter of this festival, even making plans to return to Pascagoula when living out of town.
“I love the location of downtown Pascagoula and the atmosphere,” Mrs. Holland said. “You get to gather and see and meet people you have not seen in a while, and the vendors offer a variety of merchandise for early Christmas shopping.”
