Video: 1st Annual Muscadine Festival in Mathiston

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MATHISTON, Miss. (WCBI) – The city of Mathiston held its first annual Muscadine Festival, Saturday, in Webster County.

The festivities began in the morning with a 5K race through downtown Mathiston.

The festival is a fundraiser for the Mathiston Veterans Monument which is in the process of construction and design.

Lavelle McAlpin, one of the event’s organizers, explains how the festival got its unique name.

“A Muscadine is very similar to a grape. The school at Wood Junior, which was once here, it closed in 2002. We have a vineyard here on campus and because of that we decided to name the festival after that. Something local,” says McAlpin.

The Muscadine Fest included live music, arts, crafts as well a muscadine cooking contest.

Some folks came out to see well-maintained, antique cars.

“I’m here for my first car show after I got this 41 Chevrolet. I’m a service veteran and my dad bought it for me as a present after being in the military,” says Whit Huffman, a Festival attendee.

Other folks simply came out to have some good family fun. Brianna Edwards lives in Oklahoma and is in Mathiston visiting family.

“My uncle, he sang. He sang on stage and we came down to watch him. I thought it was just gonna be singing but there’s a lot more. They’re giving away money. They’re selling stuff and t-shirts. It’s neat to enjoy time with family and it’s really pretty outside today,” said Edwards.

The event was sponsored by the Mathiston Economic Development and Support Council. The Mathiston Veterans Monument will represent 18 local veterans and all those who’ve served their country.