Jackson, MS

The third weekend in March is an important time for activities in downtown Jackson, MS and the metro area. It's the date when Sweet Potato Queens from all over the country converge on the capitol city and march in conjunction with the St. Paddy's Day Parade.

The parade has grown to become one of the Top 20 Largest Events in the Southeast.

The parade itself is an all-day event with children's activities, a pet parade, children's parade, the Million Queen March (the Sweet Potato Queens), and finally the Main Event, the floats with all the throws, beads, and doubloons.

These photos were taken at the Million Queen March.

Even Jackson Mayor Frank Melton got in on the march...

The SPQ's event is a fundraiser benefitting Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital.

In case you missed the Sweet Potato Queens Ball at Mal's, you can view the photos at Pat Starnes Snippets.

The annual Sweet Potato Queens Ball was held Friday night at Mal's in downtown Jackson. This was my first time to attend the SPQ Ball, and I'm not sure who had more fun, the Queen "wannabes" as they are called or this photographer!

There were so many colorful costumes, aka ball gowns, that I couldn't stop taking photos.

The SPQ ball was created by local Best Selling Author Jill Conner Browne, who brings thousands of SPQ's to Jackson, MS on the third weekend of March every year to participate in the SPQ Ball and to march in the annual Mal's St. Paddy's Day parade. The economic impact to the city is huge and the St. Paddy's Day parade is one of the largest events held in the city of Jackson throughout the year.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, here are some photos to show you what I'm talking about.

Doesn't it look like everyone had fun?

Don't miss the festivities tonight and tomorrow as the Mal's St. Paddy's Day Parade is scheduled for this weekend! Yes, I know it's after St. Patrick's Day, but the parade is tomorrow (March 21, 2009) anyway.

Tonight at Hal and Mal's, The Sweet Potato Queens Ball will take place from 7-11 p.m. This is an event you won't want to miss. Bring your sunglasses and wear your best bling and you'll fit right in. Tomorrow, the lovely ladies will be marching in the St. Paddy's Day Parade beginning at noon. Proceeds of the Queens March will benefit Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital.

The St. Paddy's Day Parade is always a lot of fun and one of the largest planned events for Metro Jackson. For a schedule of events, visit this site. Oh, here's the parade route. The Children's Parade starts at 11:00 a.m.

Be sure to visit Hal & Mal's for the post-parade street party, with live entertainment from the Bluz Boys and others.

Written and Publish By Pat Starnes, McIntosh and Assoc., LLC

More and more people are looking for free activities to fill their free time, especially in today's economy. And, as real estate professionals, new clients often ask us what's going on in Jackson that's fun and free? Well, this month's free event is Arts Alive. Arts Alive is a free two day festival which will be held on March 27 & 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Smith Park in downtown Jackson, Mississippi.

Arts Alive originally started as a church fundraiser, but was so popular, it has now turned into a two-day cultural event. The festival is complete with arts, crafts, food, drinks, music and dance.

Since Jackson, Mississippi is such a religious community, many churches thought downtown Jackson would be the perfect place for the event and, it seems, they were right. The festival has been a huge hit each year. There are many cities across the country that just don't have activities like this for their residents to take advantage of and enjoy. The community started volunteering and sending in donations to keep the festival alive for many more years to come.

Not only does the Arts Alive festival make the residents happy, but it also helps the community. It gives visitors to Jackson a great opportunity to see what Jackson really has to offer as a place to live, work and play.

Just from past Arts Alive events, we have seen some true talent right here from Jackson. It shows just how deep into arts our community really is. Metro Jackson area residents that don't come out to enjoy the festivities are surely missing out on a great event and a chance to learn about the culture of Jackson. So, this is the perfect opportunity for them to see what's going on. It's also a great opportunity for everyone to get together and enjoy each other's friendship and company.

Kids will have the best of both worlds at the festival. The Mississippi Art Museum will be hosting a special booth full of activities just for children.

During the lunch hour on Friday, the Fondren Express Trolley will be giving free rides to and from the Arts Alive festival.

For those who would like to volunteer for the Arts Alive festival, you can visit www.artsalivejackson.com for more information.

We hope you will get to get out and enjoy the free festival and all the fun it has to offer. We may even see you there.

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

Jackson, Mississippi Community Information

Homes for Sale in Jackson, Mississippi

Have you ever wanted to meet Rudy Guiliani? How about Zig Ziglar? Or Dr. Robert Schuller, famed author? Archie (who?) Manning? Each one of these dynamic individuals will be in Jackson, MS live and in person next week for a business seminar entitled GET MOTIVATED!

The day-long seminar, offered on two separate days, March 9 or 10, will be held in the Jackson Convention Complex in downtown Jackson. I'm looking forward to the session. My entire office will be attending, thanks to my broker who purchased a group of tickets.

The price of admission is ridiculously low. Perhaps the seminar is subsidized to showcase the new Jackson convention center, which was completed earlier this year. Whatever they are selling, (you know they will be selling something?!) I DON'T CARE, because the opportunity to see seven (7) motivational speakers all in one day is too tempting to pass up!

The event should inspire all attendees. Tamara Lowe, motivational speaker and author of Get Motivated!, will have a special session on strengthening sales and negotiation skills. Dr. Earl Mindell, author of The Vitamin Bible, will discuss how to improve health and energy. Rick Belluzzo, former President and COO for Microsoft, will speak on maximizing business skills.

Archie Manning, famous college and professional football player, will discuss using competition to the advantage, and Rudy Giuliani, beloved NY mayor, will talk of perseverance, how to overcome unforeseen challenges, and how to lead in times of crisis.

This seminar should prove to be spectacular. I have my ticket and will be taking notes. If you are interested in attending, register immediately because the special pricing ends March 6.

Note: The seminar is open for anyone who wants to attend, regardless of occupation or vocation. Hope to see you there!

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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

McIntosh and Assoc., LLC

434 Katherine Drive

Flowood, MS 39232

601-278-4513 - cell

601-936-2007 - office

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