The second annual Runnin’ and Strummin’ Music Festival took place this past Saturday at Legion State Park, which is situated off North Columbus Ave., within the city limits of Louisville. Legion is the fourth of the original state parks developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, during the Great Depression, and remains as unspoiled today as when the Choctaw Indian Nation first inhabited the area centuries ago.
Runnin ‘n’ Strummin’ is presented by Friends of Legion State Park and the Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks. Admission to the festival was $15 for those over 15 years of age, and no charge for 15 and under. All proceeds from admissions go to the Friends of Legion State Park for the upkeep and beautification of the grounds.
Ronnie Gammill estimated that around 200 visitors enjoyed the festival with music at two different venues, Legion Lodge and In the Pines. The festivities began with an opening ceremony at Legion Lodge at eight-o-clock Saturday morning, with a welcome and opening remarks from Mayor Will Hill and Gammill.
The entertainment promptly followed at 8:30 with Winston County’s very own, award winning Reed Brothers, followed by Alan Sibley & the Magnolia Ramblers, the Darden Sisters w/ Jeremy Jernigan, and Estes Switch & the Starkville Dulcimers.
The music moved to an outdoor venue, In the Pines, at 12 noon, with Jodie Ross, Wes Stapp, Ken Sanders & Friends, Dallas Dixon, Alan Sibley & the Magnolia Ramblers, Daryl & Jeanne Jones & Friends, Chuck Luke, Tracy McCully, and Jeffrey Rupp and the Mississippi Blues Band. Gammill said that he was very encouraged to hear some of the musicians state that the park is an ideal location for a music festival.
The festival also featured a 5K run; the participants were shuttled by bus from Legion Lodge to the Louisville Coliseum, and then ran back to the Lodge. Approximately 25 people registered for the run.
Children’s activities included Allen Winters, a Choctaw flute maker and Native American storyteller, and a demonstration of rabbit stick hunting. Local craftsmen Paul Simmons and Marie Gordon were also present displaying their creations.
Gammill added that one of the goals of the festival is to bring more people into the park which is truly a gem that even some Winston Countians have never visited. He stated that the Friends of Legion are still in the learning process and expect bigger and better things to come for Runnin’ ‘n’ Strummin’.
Sponsors for the 2019 festival were: The Mitchell Family, the Shepherd Family, Winston Plywood & Veneer, Louisville Tourism Board, The Taylor Group, Western Auto, Lake
Tiak O’Khata, Rives & Reynolds Lumber Co., Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers, Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, Darlene Bane, Tax Assessor/Collector, Porter Funeral Home, Winston County Board of Supervisors, Julie Cunningham, Winston Medical Center, Southern Traditions, Bullock Toyota, WoodmenLife, ALFA Insurance, Crowson Auto World, Walmart, McMillin Realty, McCully & Associates, Winston Web news, Ron & Martha Gammill, Moody’s Furniture and Just Teasin’. Gammill stated that the festival would not be possible without these sponsors.
Everyone is encouraged to visit and support Legion State Park and enjoyed the historic Legion Lodge, Legion Lake, primitive camping site, RV lots, cabins and unparalleled outdoor beauty.
