Main Street plays vital role in community

Last updated: August 26, 2026

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — When it comes to promoting the community and providing resources for residents and visitors alike, few organizations can keep up, but Vicksburg’s Main Street continues to lead the charge with innovative events and initiatives.

Kim Hopkins, Executive Director of Vicksburg’s Main Street Program, appeared before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Tuesday, Aug. 26., to explain the importance of the program. During the meeting, the City held a pubic hearing for the public to dispute the current downtown tourism tax which serves to fund the program.

Each year the city must hold the hearing, but no one from the public was present this year to dispute the public funds paying for the program.

Hopkins explained the Vicksburg Main Street Program plays a vital role in preserving, promoting and progressing the historic downtown area. Through a combination of economic development, beautification projects, marketing and community events, the program works to create a vibrant and thriving city center where businesses can grow, locals can connect and visitors can experience the best of Vicksburg.

By investing in revitalization and preservation, Vicksburg Main Street not only enhances the visual appeal of the community, but also helps create jobs, foster entrepreneurships and build civic pride.

The Vicksburg Main Street Program hosts a wide variety of event s throughout the year that bring energy, foot traffic and community pride to downtown. These events are designed to support local businesses, attract visitors and strengthen Vicksburg’s identity as a vibrant cultural hub.

The following are a list of such events from the past year:

• Bicentennial Declaration & Proclamation

• Bicentennial Symposium

• Bicentennial Parade

• BTS Shopping Event

• Bicentennial Ball

• Mardi Gras Parade

• Bicentennial Music & Culture Festival

• Vacant to Vibrant Walking Tour

• Downtown Easter Egg Hunt

• Farmers Market

• Merchant Meetings

• MegaBucs Catfish Tournament

• Moonpies & Sweet Hearts Mashup

• Miss Mississippi Parade

• Painting the “Downtown Crowns”

• Miss Mississippi & Miss MS Teen Autograph Party

• Fourth of July Celebration

• Dinner on the Bricks

• Vicksburg Historic Art Festival

• Bicentennial Fall Family Fair

• VMS Monthly Board Meetings

• Destination Downtown

• Back to 1984- 80’s Party

• Bricks & Spokes

• American 250 Events

• Second Saturday

•Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

• Christmas at the Park

• Christmas Parade of Lights

• O’Christmas Tree Home Tours

• Bicentennial New Year’s Celebration

Vicksburg Main Street was also able to help local businesses which struggled financial by the use of ARPA funding. The ARPA funding was designed to offset the severe economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on small locally owned businesses.

The Main Street Program used the ARPA funds to help Catfish Row and Gordons Alley projects, which entailed adding poles and lightening, pressure washing, painting, signage, mural creations and more.

The Vicksburg Main Street Program also utilizes volunteers to help with Community Clean Up Days, Annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Hurricane Harvey Flood Relief and Holiday Food Drives.

Other aspects of the impact of the Vicksburg Main Street Program are the Market Days. In 2026, $73,000 were amassed in direct vendor sales during the 13 markets. The Markets supported 47 vendors across 15 counties. During the Market Days, the Program was able to provide 44 hours of live music by supporting local artists and musicians. Additionally, 17 interactive agricultural and horticultural- based actives reached 237 children during the events.

Hopkins said the Vicksburg Main Street Program was a success because of the hard work of volunteers and a supportive Board of Directors which include Amber Morton, Michele Connelly, Linda Fondren, Walter Osborne, Lori Fagan, Charles Pendleton, Corey Smith, Wayne Pratt, Marty White, Michael Foley and Margie Steckler.

Following Hopkin’s presentation, the Board opened the hearing the the public.

When no one commented to dispute, Vicksburg Mayor Willis Thompson said, “Well, I guess we are doing it right!”

•