FloodFest this weekend

What is lining up to be the biggest event of the year in the Vicksburg area is happening this weekend.

FloodFest 2019 is a bunch of events rolled up into one. Tommy Parker created the festival to raise money for the victims of the Great Backwater Flood of 2019.

Col. Thomas C. Parker

A victim of the flood himself, Parker also worked tirelessly during the flood to get sandbags filled, feed the helpers and organize whatever was needed. Eagle Lake Fire Chief Earl Wallace said, “We would not have been as successful at getting things done if it were not for Tommy Parker.”

Now, Parker is heading up what is about to be the biggest event of the year in Vicksburg. It’s so big that parking is being offered off-site at the Merit Health, River Region Medical Center down the road. A shuttle service donated by the City of Vicksburg will move people to and from the event.

“That’s the thing about our community,” Parker said. “When it hits the fan, we come together to help each other like no other place on Earth. This is a great community.”

Great community indeed.

The list of vendors and sponsors keeps growing. The headliner, country music star and homegrown favorite William Michael Morgan was the first person to commit to the event. Once he was on board, the flood gates opened for musical acts.

FloodFest 2019 will be an all-day, family-friendly event that will be held at the Redwood School (100 Redwood Rd, Redwood). During the afternoon hours, many of the vendors who pulled out of the Mississippi Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Extravaganza in support of the community will be featuring their wares. There will also be plenty of kid’s activities, including a water slide and the Mississippi Hand Grabbers Association pools.

Kids show off their hand grabs caught catfish.

The evening’s events will feature an auction and live music from William Michael Morgan, Scott Randall Rhodes and the Mississippi River Band along with several other bands. Rumor has it Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace will be on hand to sing a tune as well.

A special visit by Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs is also planned.

Admission is an affordable $5, and every dollar earned will go to help flood victims through the United Way, which is not charging any administrative fees.