What’s Shakin’ in the Cradle?

ABBEVILLE, LA.

Jun 16, Jul 14 … Abbeville Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market in Magdalen Square. An open air market featuring seasonal produce, eggs, preserves, and homemade items on sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit mostcajun.com or call (337) 652-6148.

Clarksdale, Miss.

Jun 1-2 … Delta Jubilee at the Coahoma Expo Center. A family fun festival of music and events. Participate in one of many competitions from Corn Hole to Volleyball. Arts & Crafts, food, and a carnival. For more information, visit clarksdale-ms.com or call (662) 627-7337.

Jun 1-2 … Goat Fest V at the Shack Up Inn and the New Roxy Theater. Come join Goat Fest for a fifth year of outstanding heavy blues and roots music at the crossroads. Featuring 9 bands in more than two venues, including the Cedric Burnside Project, Lightnin’ Malcolm, and Chili Cold Blood, among others. Get a weekend wristband for $45 or pay $15 at the door for each show. For more information, visit shakupinn.com or call (662) 624-8329.

Erath, La.

Jun 30 - Jul 4 … Erath 4th of July Celebration at the Fair. Come see multiple musical acts over the 5-day celebration. Featuring a parade at 5 p.m. on the 4th of July followed by a Giant Fireworks Display at 9 p.m. For more information, visit erath4.com or call (337) 937-5585.

Greenville, Miss.

Jun 2 … 5th Annual Warfield Riverfest at the Washington Co. Convention Center. Along with traditional festival foods, the day will be full of arts & crafts, a petting zoo, a 16-man mobile vehicle unit, a remote controlled car racing demonstration, and a BBQ contest. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit warfieldriverfest.com or call (662) 335-3371.

Jackson, Miss.

Jun 10-23 … The USA International Ballet Competition XI at Thalia Mara Hall. The world's best young ballet dancers convene in Jackson for a two-week "Olympic-style" competition. Representing more than 20 nations, the rising dance stars vie for medals, cash prizes, company contracts, apprenticeships and scholarships. Tickets and times vary. For more information, visit usaibc.com or call (601) 973-9249.

Jun 23-24 … Mississippi Comic Con at the Mississippi Trade Mart. Come see a diverse list of guests, vendors, artists, and fan groups in an affordable, family friendly environment. Convention runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 per day or $30 for a two-day pass. For more information, visit mississippicomiccon.com.

Lafayette, La.

Jul 13-15 … Bayou Belly Festival at Hawthorne Hall. A variety of vendors, classes, and performances Friday and Saturday. Event starts at 8 a.m. Friday. Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit trybehabibibizarre.com.

Meridian, Miss.

Jun 15 … Opening Ceremonies for the MS State Games in downtown Meridian. Come watch the parade of athletes from across Mississippi along with real Mississippi Olympians who have competed all over the world. Watch the Torch Lighting and stay for a fantastic fireworks show. Food and beverage booths open at 5 p.m. Parade begins at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks begin at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit stategamesofms.org or call (601) 482-0205.

Jun 16 … Free live music at Meridian Underground Music. Come see Inclination of Direction and The Moose perform live starting at 8 p.m. For more information, call (601) 485-1363.

Jul 17 … Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo at the MSU Riley Center. Their undeniable chemistry, Benatar’s mezzo-soprano vocal range and Giraldo’s trail blazing work as a producer, guitarist and songwriter continue to wow audiences everywhere. Tickets start at $58 and show begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit msurileycenter.com or call (601) 696-2200.

Morgan City, La.

Aug 30 - Sep 3 … The four-day extravaganza of family entertainment includes live music by local and national acts, a huge arts & crafts show and sale, a Children’s Village, the Cajun Culinary Classic, the Blessing of the Fleet and water parade -- all with no gate fee. For more information, visit cajuncoast.com or call (800) 256-2931.

Natchez, Miss.

Jun 19-23 … Little Discover Week at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. Children ages five to six will play Native American games, create small crafts & pottery, participate in nature lessons, and stories. The morning sports camp is $25 and the afternoon crafts camp is $40 and includes all supplies. Children may attend both camp sessions for $60 for the week. For more information or reservations, call (601) 446-6502.

New Orleans, La.

Jul 5-8 … Essence Festival at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Get ready for the best of R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and more. This three-day party named for its founder and sponsoring magazine, combines high-octane music performances with inspirational speakers and provocative conversations about race, gender, culture, and art. Doors open at 6 p.m. each day of the festival. Tickets start at $80 per night. For more information, visit essence.com or call (504) 587-3663.

Jul 13-15 … The 12th Annual Running of the Bulls in downtown New Orleans. Each year the Crescent City hosts its own version of Spain’s Encierro de Pamploma. But instead of running from real bulls, New Orleanians gather in the traditional colors of Spain’s bull run and run from New Orleans Roller Derby Girls, who chase runners with plastic bats on their roller blades. Event is free to watch. Participation prices vary. The procession begins at 7:15 a.m. and the run beings at 8 a.m. For more information, visit nolabulls.com.

Vicksburg, Miss.

Jun 20, 22 and Jul 20, 22 … McRaven Ghost Hunt at McRaven Tour Home. Join McRaven’s team of trained paranormal investigators and hunt the many ghosts of the McRaven Tour Home! You will have the opportunity to use professional ghost hunting equipment as you try to contact and connect with the many spirits that still haunt the McRaven Home. Many of the equipment items have been seen on TV on your favorite ghost hunting shows! The Ghost Hunt begins with a Haunted Tour of the home and then you will dive into an entire night of ghost hunting. Event starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person. For more information, visit mkcraventourhome.com or call (601) 501-1336.

Jul 4 … Blues, Brews, & BBQ at the McNutt House. Bring the family for a fun afternoon leading up to the City's riverfront activities and fireworks display. Featuring a jump house and several cornhole toss stations for the kids. For the older folks there will be plenty of shade and some great live blues music and a special BBQ menu by Goldies Express. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for teens, and kids 12 and under are free. Event runs from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit themcnutthouse.com (601) 529-2695.

Yazoo City, Miss.

Jun 11-16 … 46th Annual Bentonia Blues Festival at Holmes Farm just south of Yazoo City. The oldest blues festival in the country continues to go strong with a week of real deal Blues. The festival will take place every evening from Monday to Friday at 6 p.m. at the historic Blue Front Cafe, Mississippi's oldest surviving juke joint. Then Saturday the Festival moves to Jimmy "Duck" Holmes' farm just north of Bentonia for a full day of Blues, drinks and food starting at 1 p.m. Event is free to the public. Parking at Holmes Farm is $10 for the day and $20 overnight. For more information, visit bentoniablues.com.