May 15-19: Tupelo Film Festival

Every year the Tupelo Film Alliance hosts a festival unique to the area come May, and this year marks the 10th Annual Tupelo Film Festival.  The festival begins tonight with a special screening of "The Fallen Faithful" at the Malco Theater, and Tupelo native Paul Thorn will be performing an acoustic set after the film.  Tomorrow films begin at the Lyric Theater at 12:30 P.M. and will continue until 6:30 P.M., pausing to give way to the festival kick-off party where local band Two Drink Minimum will be performing while dinner is being served.  Afterwards the film "Pride and Joy" will be shown on the Courthouse lawn.  On Friday films will be screened from 12:30 P.M. until 7 P.M. at the Lyric, and the party will move down the street to the Goodlett Manor and continue until midnight. Films will be shown all day Saturday, and the awards ceremony will begin at 8 P.M. at the Lyric.  And if you missed your chance to see the winning films, they will be shown again on Sunday before the showing of the film "Muscle Shoals" at the Malco.  Tickets for the weekend and for Wednesday and Sunday's special events can be purchased by calling 662-841-6521 or by coming to see us at the Convention and Visitors Bureau.  We hope you come and join us for a great weekend showcasing film talent from all over!

May 11-12: Gumtree Arts Festival

The one event in the spring that Tupelonians can always count on attending is the Gumtree Festival.  This year marks the 42nd festival, and there's plenty in store.  Starting off with the Gumtree 10k run on Saturday morning, the festival continues all Saturday morning and afternoon as well as on Sunday afternoon.  Artists from all over the region will be set up to sell their art including jewelry, handmade furniture, sculptures, paintings, and more.  Artwork from local students is currently on display in the Gumtree Art Museum on Main Street.  Two stages will feature talent from the area: one showcasing local student groups such as ballet, show choir, and chorus groups; and the other will feature local bands.  So be sure to come out and support our local arts and enjoy our beautiful Tupelo spring weather this weekend!

April 22-28

The weather's perfect this week in Tupelo, and there's plenty going on with it.  On Tuesday, the independent film "Heart of Stone" will be shown at the Link Centre.  Wine Downtown will be held on Thursday night as well as An Evening with Dr. David Jeremiah at the BancorpSouth Arena.  The Flea Market returns on Friday and will run through Sunday.  And on Saturday, the Healthy Tupelo Task Force is hosting Boerner Be Wild at Ballard Park in the morning, while the 2013 Miss Tupelo Elvis Festival pageant and the North Mississippi Soul and Blues Jam at the BancorpSouth Arena will be held on Saturday night.
Recently at the CVB office, we filmed videos of Tupelo citizens talking about what they loved about Tupelo. Do you want to show your love for Tupelo?  Tweet what Tupelo is to you and tag us (@MyTupelo) or use the hashtag #MyTupelo.  Be sure to spread your Tupelove and have a great week!

March 12-17

It's a busy Spring Break weekend here in Tupelo!  Featured last year on TLC's show BBQ Pitmasters, Tupelo's Don't Be Cruel BBQ Duel will be held at Fairpark this weekend, and with temperatures in the 70s, it's a perfect time to go out.  If you find the boys getting restless this weekend, take them to see Monster Trucks at the BancorpSouth Arena on Friday or Saturday.  And next week, six Tupelo groups join together for the first Art Rocks Tupelo, featuring participating organizations like the GumTree Art Museum, the Link Centre, Tupelo Ballet, Tupelo Community Theatre, Tupelo Concert Association, and Tupelo Symphony. There's something for everybody!  Have a great week!

March 3-10

Spring is in the air around Tupelo, so what does this week hold?  On Thursday, participate in the Lenten Luncheon Series being held this week at First Presbyterian Church, or take a stroll downtown for the Downtown Merchants' First Thursday.  Thursday night marks the return of Winter Jam at the BancorpSouth Arena, and if you plan on attending, be sure to get there early.  The Flea Market and Gun Show will be held at the Furniture Market this weekend, and it's always a good time to find something new.  Take the kids to the Mall at Barnes Crossing on Saturday morning to have breakfast with the Easter Bunny as he comes to stay at the mall for a while.  And put on your green to head out to the Obligatory Leprechaun Day Show at the Link Centre on Saturday night.  Have a great week!

February 25- March 3

As the month draws to a close, spring starts to heat up with activities for everyone in Tupelo.  Tonight the BancorpSouth Arena is hosting the Harlem Globetrotters at 7 P.M.  Tuesday brings another independent film to the Link Centre with a screening of "Trust: Second Acts in Young Lives" by filmmaker Nancy Kelly.  On Thursday, this week's Lenten Luncheon will be held at First United Methodist Church and is open for anyone to attend.  Also on Thursday is TCT's encore performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and dinner cabaret. Tupelo will be kicking off the first of March on Friday with CDF's monthly First Friday and the Link Centre's Monthly Music Mix, featuring Grammy-winning lead guitarist Laurence Juber of Paul McCartney & Wings.  Saturday brings much excitement with the Mississippi High School Film Competition at the Link Centre, the Gumtree Classic Dog Show at the Tupelo Lee County Agricenter, the Tupelo Craft Beer Festival at Veteran's Park, and the Rascal Flatts Changed Tour with The Band Perry at the BancorpSouth Arena.  And be sure to check out the art classes offered at the Caron Gallery if you're interested in expanding your artistic horizons.  Have a great week!

January 28 - February 3

January's winding down to an end with much excitement in Tupelo!  On Tuesday, 3 Doors Down and Daughtry kick off their show at the BancorpSouth Arena at 7 P.M.  On Thursday night through Saturday night, the Tupelo Community Theatre hits the stage of the historic Lyric Theatre with their production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a production that brought home a trophy from the Mississippi Theatre Association conference earlier this month.  CDF will be hosting their annual First Friday event this Friday at the BancorpSouth Conference Center with guest speaker journalist Sid Salter.  Also on Friday is the 50th Annual Charity Ball sponsored by the Junior Auxiliary.  Have a great week!