The Midtown Merchants Association is hosting its first big public event on Saturday, April 6 featuring “mudbugs, music, and more” and organizers are hoping you’ll come out to support the cause.
Made possible with support from Forrest General Hospital, Stokes Distributing, Hattiesburg Coca Cola, the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, and Hattiesburg Clinic, the soon-to-be-annual event kicks off at noon Saturday in the big grassy lot at 400 Arlington Loop in Midtown Hattiesburg.
Parking for the event – as well as admission – is in the main Hattiesburg Clinic parking lot located off 28th Avenue and Mamie.
The kid-friendly event begins at noon and runs through 4 p.m. with music provided by three different local bands – all nominated in this year’s Best of the Pine Belt competition – including The Icemen, Down and Good, and the Hub City Sound Machine.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs – as well as their appetites. In addition to the crawfish, there will be beer and soft drinks also on sale.
Joel Ingram, president of the merchants group, said he hopes it’s the first of several Midtown Merchants events for the public.
“We’re thankful for our sponsors who helped make this event a reality and we’re looking forward to creating additional opportunities to showcase the thriving business community in Midtown Hattiesburg,” he said.
Formed last year, the Midtown Merchants Association serves an estimated 430 businesses located in the area officially designated as Midtown Hattiesburg that includes the area between Interstate 59 and U.S. Highway 49 and West 4th Street and Lincoln Road. Those businesses employ 7,500 Pine Belt Residents and generate more than 100,000 monthly visitors.
“It really is the heartbeat of Hattiesburg,” said Keri Ray Galey, who serves as membership coordinator for the organization.
The brainchild of local restauranteur Robert St. John, the organization officially formed in 2018 and elected its inaugural slate of officers including Joel Ingram, chairman; David Gustafson, vice-chairman; and Amanda Blackburn, secretary/treasurer.
Other inaugural board members include: Tom Smith, Jerome Brown, Shalendra Lux, Rob Tatum, Robert St. John, Robin Magee, Joseph Heidelberg, Roman Galey, Cesar Potenza, Stephanie Messina, Dr. John Mayfield, and Andy Stetelman.
For more information about membership, reach out to Galey at (601) 325-1999 or via email at: krgaley@midtownmerchants.com
