On July 3, the first Muscadine Music Festival and Car Show will take place on Main Street in Quitman starting at 8:00 a.m. and ending around 4:00 p.m. so that people can begin migrating to Archusa Creek Water Park for the fireworks.
Although the music festival is new to the city, many will recognize the car show from a different name over the past few years.
“This was originally Put On For My City Car and Bike Show that I started 18 years ago. I started it up in Shubuta. Last year when Covid came, we did a drive through,” explained Tracy McCarty, event organizer. “This year, it’s like we are just starting back. I had originally mentioned this music festival to the mayor about five years ago. I thought now would be a good time to try and bring everything to the city and put it together.”
There are big plans for the event, including live entertainment, a BBQ cook off, vendors, and the car show.
“The plan is to block Main Street up. The stage will go in front of the Tribune office so that the courthouse will be the background. We’ll use the street area where the train depot is for the car show and cook off,” stated Tracy. “Vendors can set up along Main Street. Main Street will only be foot traffic, and we will have an access point for emergency vehicles to come through if needed.”
At this time, there are only three live performances that have been confirmed: Jeff Holland, Luv Under Cover, and Mrs. Carolyn Staten. Any local groups who would like to perform are welcome to participate and simply need to call and book a time with Tracy.
“I’m working on if we can get more local bands to participate,” expressed Tracy. “We’re mainly focusing on music styles like country, gospel, and R&B. We want to make sure that all the music is family friendly. Any local band who would like to play would just need to contact me so that I can schedule them a time.”
There are plans to have various vendors set up along Main Street. Tracy hopes to have a large variety of vendors for people to browse as they walk along the street. Currently, there will be a local farmer’s market, a couple of arts and crafts booths, and a snowball vendor that are already lined up. Any vendors are encouraged to set up tents to help provide shade throughout the day.
Other than the car show, one of the big events that will be judged is a BBQ cook off. Cooks will go head to head with a specific menu and see who can win the large money prize for best BBQ.
“The ones in the cook off will make ribs, baked beans, and potato salad,” said Tracy. “The first place prize is $500 for the BBQ cook off.”
The judging for both the car show and cook off will begin at 2:00 p.m. He will need different volunteers to help set up, clean up after the event, judge, and help out during the day. For anyone in need of service hours, he is willing to sign hour sheets.
If anyone would like to participate in the car show, be a vendor, or participate in the cook off, there is a $25 fee for each category.
For any questions or anyone who would like to reserve a spot in the live entertainment, cook off, car show, or be a vendor, contact Tracy McCarty at 601-274-0407.
