State Fairgrounds hosts second Mississippi Mudbug Festival

Photo: From left, Michael Lasseter, Executive Director of the Mississippi State Fairgrounds Complex; Danny Huston, Owner of North American Midway Entertainment; Andy Gipson, Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce; James Davis, Chief of the Jackson Police Department; and Vincent Grizzell, Deputy Chief of the Jackson Police Department.

The 2022 Mississippi Mudbug Festival opened Wednesday at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson and Fairgrounds Executive Director Michael Lasseter officially kicked-off the event, which runs through Sunday, May 1, with a ribbon cutting.

“I want to thank all our sponsors for this incredible event which has quickly become a favorite tradition at the State Fairgrounds,” said Gipson. “This year we’ve brought in 10,000 lbs. of for a good old-fashioned crawfish boil. I invite the public to come out with their friends and families and enjoy some southern-style crawfish, carnival rides and first-rate entertainment.”

The Festival will include live entertainment featuring Blue Oyster Cult, Laine Hardy, Bobby Rush, Tip Tops, Shake the Bucket, Hannah Everhart and Sullivan’s Hollow; crawfish cooking and eating contests; amusement rides provided by North American Midway Entertainment with daily ride specials; and crawfish plates provided by The Back Porch restaurant. Admission at the gate is free and parking is $10 per car.

Rides will begin when gates open each day and over 20 great fair rides will be offered. Coupon ride prices will be $1.50 per coupon, $25 for 22 coupons and $60 for 50 coupons, or the public can enjoy all rides for one low wristband price of $25. Advanced ride wristbands can be purchased online for $20 at https://tickets.authentigate.ca/store/#/NAME/658. 

The Tails and Ales area will be open daily with crawfish and beverages available for purchase. Crawfish will be provided by The Back Porch and sold for $15 per plate. Entry to the Mudbug Music Area will be $10 on Saturday, April 30. Entry to the Mudbug Music Area will be $5 on Friday, April 29, and Sunday, May 1.

The Schedule for the 2022 Mississippi Mudbug Festival is as follows:

Activities & Events for Thursday, April 28, 2022

• 2:00 p.m. – Gates and Rides open
• 5:00 p.m. – Crawfish and beverages will be available for purchase inside the Tails and Ales Courtyard. Free admission.
• 5:00 p.m. – Mudbug Music Area opens. Free admission.
• 7:00 p.m. – Tip Tops performance
• 10:00 p.m. – Gates close

Ride Specials:

Ride-A-Thon – Attendees can enjoy over 20 great rides for one low wristband price of $25 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Activities & Events for Friday, April 29, 2022

• 2:00 p.m. – Gates and Rides open
• 4:00 p.m. – Crawfish and beverages will be available for purchase inside the Tails and Ales Courtyard. Free admission.
• 4:00 p.m. – Mudbug Music Area opens. Entry will be $5.
• 6:00 p.m. – Shake the Bucket performance featuring Hannah Everhart
• 8:00 p.m. – Laine Hardy performance
• 11:00 p.m. – Gates close

Ride Specials:

Ride-A-Thon – Attendees can enjoy over 20 great rides for one low wristband price of $25 from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Activities & Events for Saturday, April 30, 2022

• 12:00 p.m. – Gates and Rides open
• 12:00 p.m. – Crawfish and beverages will be available for purchase inside the Tails and Ales Courtyard. Free admission.
• 2:00 p.m. – Mudbug Music Area opens. Entry will be $10.
• 4:00 p.m. – Crawfish Eating Contest will begin
• 5:30 p.m. – Sullivan’s Hollow performance
• 8:00 p.m. – Blue Oyster Cult performance
• 11:00 p.m. – Gates and Mudbug Music Area close

Ride Specials:

Ride-A-Thon – Attendees can enjoy over 20 great rides for one low wristband price of $25 from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Activities & Events for Sunday, May 1, 2022

• 12:00 p.m. – Gates and Rides open
• 12:00 p.m. – Mudbug Music Area opens. Entry will be $5.
• 1:00 p.m. – Battle of the Crawfish begins
• 3:00 p.m. – Bobby Rush performance
• 7:00 p.m. – Mudbug Music Area closes
• 8:00 p.m. – Gates close

Ride Specials:

Ride-A-Thon – Attendees can enjoy over 20 great rides for one low wristband price of $25 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For more information about the Mississippi Mudbug Festival, visit Mississippi Mudbug Festival online and follow the Mississippi State Fairgrounds page on Facebook.