While the Cotton Gin Festival has been a tradition in Noxapater for more than two decades, the Community Chamber Alliance is always looking to add to the enjoyment of locals who partake in this event each year. People come from near and far to participate in the car show, which has been a mainstay of the festivities for some time. However, in addition to the festival itself and the car show, the Noxapater Community Chamber Alliance is adding a pageant to the fun of the annual event.
The Festival itself is set to kick off at 9:00 AM on Saturday, September 30, at the J.W. Young Park. The day-long event will also include a cornhole tournament and a domino tournament in addition to the car show and pageant.
The Noxapater Community Chamber Alliance is currently accepting entry fees and forms. To enter, one may send the completed form via regular mail, email or text. These forms can be found on the Alliance’s Facebook page and printed, or one may download the same form and complete the information. The entry fee is $20 per person, and ages 6 months to eighteen may participate in the Miss Cotton Gin Festival pageant.
Interested persons may also email noxcca@gmail.com.
The Community Chamber Alliance is also accepting vendor applications for the Cotton Gin Festival. To reserve a space (a 10’ x 10’ booth area), one must pay the required $55 fee ($65 if one’s space will require electricity) by September 20, 2023. A $10 late fee will apply if the vendor has not secured a space at that time. Food trucks are encouraged to apply as well; they will be provided a 10’ x 15’ space at $55 ($65 if electricity is required). The Chamber requires that food vendors not falling into the cottage food category provide a copy of their Health Department Serve Safe certification.
Cottage food is described as homemade edible goods, such as jellies or homemade bread.
These forms may also be found on the Alliance’s Facebook page, or one may email noxcca@gmail.com for a copy.
It’s important to note that if a vendor or pageant participant does email in a copy of their registration form, they must also complete payment to be considered registered. Payments may be mailed to the Noxapater Community Chamber Alliance at P.O. Box 32/ Noxapater, MS/ 39346. Fees may also be submitted via Venmo using the tag @NOXCCA.
While the Cotton Gin Festival is a time-honored tradition, the Community Chamber Alliance has introduced multiple new annual events in the small town of Noxapater. One of these is the Trigger Town Chili Showdown, which has taken place the last two years. For the 2023 event, the Alliance is adding a talent show to the list of fun activities.
Individuals from ages five and up may register now to participate. The fee for participation is $25, and it may be sent in via paper check or electronically via Venmo. A link to the registration form is available on the Noxapater Community Chamber Alliance Facebook page.
The talent competition is a first for the 2023 event, and the Alliance anticipates many participants. The Trigger Town Chili Showdown is scheduled for October 21st.
