“Collaboration” is the theme for the fourth annual Best of the Pine Belt Awards Show set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Saenger Theater in downtown Hattiesburg. Sponsored by VistHattiesburg and First Bank, and hosted by Signature Magazine and FestivaSouth, there’s still time to get in on this night of fun and recogniton of some of the Pine Belt’s heroes.
Winners will be announced in 12 categories during this year’s awards show. On-stage award presentations will include
• Best Local Instagrammer,
• Best Musical Group
• Best Bartender
• Best Mover & Shaker
• Most Effective Non-Profit
• Best Cover Band
• Best Burlesque Performer
• Best New Restaurant
• Song of the Year
• Best Unsung Hero
• Best Local Album
• Best Pine Belt Personality
Winners in remaining categories will be announced in the June issue of Signature magazine, which also serves as the official program for FestivalSouth. Magazines will be available at the end of the show in the Saenger lobby.
Because this year’s show is all about collaboration, be prepared to see special one-time-only musical treats from some of the Pine Belt’s biggest names in music.
Signature Magazine Publisher David Gustafson will once again serve as master of ceremonies for this event, which will include several surprises – and a special performance by the always-popular ladies of Hattiesburlesque.
The show promises an evening of fun for all ages and is held each year in conjunction with FestivalSouth, Mississippi’s only multi-week, multi-genre music, art, and dance festival. This year’s festival has moved its schedule back a week and gets underway June 9 and runs through June 23.
Prior to the show, which gets underway at 7:30 p.m., a street party will be held in front of the Saenger with music by The Icemen inside. A specialty drink created by this year’s Best Bartender will be available for purchase as will beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages. Forrest Street, which runs in front of the Saenger, will be closed to traffic to allow guests to walk the red carpet and have their photographs made.
The second annual Best of the Pine Belt Hall of Fame dinner will take place prior to the street party at 5 p.m. at 206 Front, and the annual BOPB After Party will be held at The Thirsty Hippo immediately following the award show.
On Friday night beginning at 6 p.m. the inaugural Best of the Pine Belt Pub Crawl gets underway at The Porter. Those attending will have the opportunity to crews alongside others to six venues downtown which will feature six different bands. And who knows, there might just be a surprise along the way.
There’s still time to purchase tickets at bestofthepinebelt.com.
