With the success of the Petal Downtown FAM Jam over the past few years, officials from the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce are set to bring the event back this spring.
The 2023 edition of FAM Jam – short for Food, Art and Music – will be held from 1-6 p.m. May 6 on South Main Street, near Grand Central Outfitters. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
“This is what our community wants,” said Valerie Wilson, executive director of the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce. “They enjoy opportunities to see their friends and neighbors and be outside.
“It’s a special opportunity to be in downtown Petal.”
Downtown FAM Jam will feature local artists, craftsmen and food vendors, as well as musical entertainment by T.J. Eubanks from 2-5 p.m.
“We’ve got a ton of vendors this year, and we’re really excited about them because it’s quite a variety,” Wilson said. “Of course, this being a campaign year, we will have a lot of candidates out there talking to the public about their campaigns.
“We’ll have everything from snow cones to hamburgers, hot dogs, kettle corn, pork skins. We’ll have a large variety of food vendors.”
In addition to the food and music, the free event also will feature children’s activities, such as fun play areas and games.
“We’ll have arts and crafts, information booths,” Wilson said. “The special activities for the children will be presented by Cavalry Baptist Church of Petal.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and stay throughout the duration of the FAM Jam.
To ensure safety, Main Street will be closed between Regions Bank and Panther Credit during the event. Shoppers will still be able to visit any businesses that are regularly open along that thoroughfare.
“It will definitely be a street event, where people can cross the street safely and enjoy the vendors and participate in lots of fun,” Wilson said. “It’s family friendly, whether you’re in your 80s and enjoy the crafts and walking around, or your little one is enjoying the (games).
“There’s something for everybody.”
Wilson is especially excited for this year’s event, as it will last five hours rather than the usual three.
“And that’s just to allow the vendors more time to sell, and to give the public more time to get down there and enjoy the day,” she said. “We do know that there are lots of other events going on, so we hope that by offering a longer period of time, they can fit it into their day.”
