The Hernando Water Tower Festival returns to the Courthouse Square this Saturday, Sept. 26, with every one of its 150 vendor spaces sold out and live music back on the courthouse lawn for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce hosts the free, family-friendly festival, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What to Expect at the Hernando Water Tower Festival
The festival is one of the biggest community days of the fall in DeSoto County, filling the streets around the historic courthouse with arts and crafts booths, local businesses, and food trucks. According to the DeSoto Times-Tribune, organizers say this year’s vendor lineup is the largest yet, with all 150 slots claimed.
Several first-time vendors are joining the lineup, including:
Charmed By Taylor, a custom jewelry bar
Bloom Baby, a mobile flower shop that works out of a refrigerated truck
Veteran’s Veteran, which shares information about veterans’ benefits
Magnolia Grace Media, offering a photo booth
Longtime favorites are also coming back, including Pottery Shed, one of the festival’s original vendors, and LK’s Creations, a cottage bakery.
Live Music Returns to the Courthouse Lawn
For the first time since the pandemic, the festival will include live music. Truck Patch Revival, a country-rock band known for improvised, high-energy sets, is scheduled to play on the courthouse lawn.
Visitors will also hear the new “Music Around the Square” sound system, which the Hernando chamber unveiled with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 22. New wayfinding signs will help guests find their way around downtown.
Kidz Zone, Touch-A-Truck and Characters
Families with young children can head to the free Water Tower Tikes Kidz Zone. Planned attractions include:
A Touch-A-Truck display with DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office motorcycles and vehicles or equipment from the Hernando Fire Department, Hernando Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol, and American Towing
A petting zoo from KCB Farms, plus a farm-themed zone from Farm Bureau
Small train rides and inflatable slides
A returning sensory-friendly area from Southern Pediatric Therapy
Character appearances, with Mickey Mouse and Bluey joining for the first time
Plan Your Visit
When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Courthouse Square, downtown Hernando
Cost: Free to attend
Information: Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce, 662-429-9055 or hernandoms.org
The Hernando Farmers Market will not meet this Saturday because of the festival. It is set to return Oct. 3. Plan for crowds and limited parking close to the square, and check the chamber’s social media for any day-of updates.
