About Rankin County, MS

Rankin County's 29^th Annual Muscadine Jubilee is set to kick off this Saturday with good times, good food, good tunes and, of course, the Grape Stomp. The all day even, held in Pelahatchie's Muscadine Park promises a full day of fun in the perfect backdrop of small-town Mississippi charm. Therefore, we thought it important to share this information in our blog for locals and visitors so no one will miss this great event.

The Muscadine Jubilee kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with a traditional opening ceremony. Other events begin at 10:30 a.m. Musician lineup is said to include Kali Russell, Dave's Highway, Jeff Maddox, Crossin' Dixon and Neil McCoy.

Along with good music, there will also be arts and crafts booths and many games for children. Other fun activities will include a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, train rides and games.

Rankin County, Mississippi politicians will go toe-to-toe at noon in the traditional Grape Stomp competition. The one who makes the most grape juice by stomping a bucket of grapes barefoot will win an engraved wine cooler.

The Grape Stomp lineup will include Congressman Gregg Harper, Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall, Tax Assessor John Sullivan and State Representative Mark Baker, which sounds like an interesting combination of politicians. This just might turn out to be the most popular event of the day to attend.

The best part about the event is that it's affordable for the entire family. Children 6 and younger get in for free and everyone else gets in for only $2. The expected turnout for the event is between 3,000 and 4,000 people, making it a great opportunity to get out and meet new people.

Realtors® Mary & Bill Watkins ~ Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate

Search Homes for Sales in Rankin County, Mississippi

Flowood Corner Bakery Deli will open for business Monday, April 20.

A reader requested a list of stores that has leased space at Market Street, so I put on my sleuth's cap and headed for the mall. Among the stores already open for business are J.C. Penney's, DSW Shoes, Bed Bath and Beyond, MiGis, and Dick's Sporting Goods. But the yummiest store slated to open is sure to be the Corner Bakery Deli.

When I stopped by today, the staff was in training. They graciously offered a menu so I could see what delicious foods would be served. Although I was NOT able to procure a pre-opening snack, I was successful in scoring the opening date.

Corner Bakery Deli will be open 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. They serve paninis, salads, and breakfast items.

Flowood Market Street is growing. Michael's is hiring and will soon join the list of new store openings. Many of the smaller spaces are still available for lease.

Market Street Stores Set to Open

New Stores Open at Flowood MS Market Street

The City of Brandon held their Annual Easter Egg Hunt Thursday evening at Shiloh Park. Hundreds of children came to the ball fields to race for the colorful eggs and to jump in the giant inflatables. Four ball fields contained over 2000 eggs each to accommodate the excited children. The well-organized hunt enabled the younger children to collect eggs in their own age category while the older children played until their turn on adjoining fields.

Several lucky participants grabbed the "prize" eggs and received special Easter baskets filled with stuffed animals, candy, and other treats.

Although many cities held their hunts earlier in the season, Flowood's Winners Circle Park will host an Easter Egg hunt Saturday afternoon from 3-5 p.m.

Hope you have an EGG~cellent Easter!

Rankin County foreclosures for the week March 27, 2009 have just been published by HUD. Buyers wanting to build some sweat equity may want to check out these properties in Florence, Pearl, and Brandon.

The following homes are each in the 10-day bid period and are for owner-occupants only:

244 Mallard Drive, Brandon NEW LISTING, 3 BR/ 2 BA Northshore Area of Brandon, priced at $158,000

573 Eaglewood, Florence 3 BR, 2 BA, 39073, priced at $108,900

424 Tina Lane, Pearl, MS 3 BR, BA, NEW LISTING, $73,000

The following properties are open for all bidders, including investors:

153-B Cumberland Road, Brandon - 1/2 of a duplex - 2 BR/ 2 Bath, $72,800

1632 Ravenwood, Pearl - SF home - 3 BR/ 1.5 Baths, $95,000

513 Oak Ridge Way, Pearl - SF home - 3 BR/ 2 Bath, $116,000

For specific information regarding one of the HUD properties, contact any real estate broker.

Please refer to previous posts regarding foreclosures in Rankin, Hinds, and Madison Counties, MS.

Pat Starnes, a Realtor since 1988, specializes in Mississippi Residential Real Estate and can assist you with buying or selling in the Jackson MS Metro area.

Search homes for sale in Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, Madison, Ridgeland, Florence, Bryam, or Jackson, MS.

Written and Published by Pat Starnes REALTOR

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This morning as I walked out, no as I started to walk out, onto the balcony of my waterfront condo, I hesitated for just a moment as something unusual caught my eye.

In the water below me, I saw what looked like a large alligator with mouth wide open perched just off the rocks. Trembling, my first thought was "How am I going to get past this thing?", followed quickly by "Should I call animal control?"

Then, gathering my wits about me, I did what any serious blogger would do. I grabbed my camera!

Snap, snap! (Pun intended!)

I decided if it WAS a gator, I could quickly scamper back up the steps. Slowly, I gathered the courage to descend the staircase. After all, I'd never SEEN an alligator on this part of the reservoir, despite the heavy rains Jackson has experienced over the last several days. Anything was possible.

Can you make it out? Do you see what I saw?

OK. Here's the truth. Upon closer inspection, it wasn't an alligator at all, but a large piece (about 20 feet) of driftwood. It was realistic looking enough to get my adrenaline pumping this morning.

What do you think? Doesn't it look real to you?