The 18th annual Cannon Motors Loblolly Festival is returning to Laurel this Saturday with more than 300 vendors, three live music stages, and free admission.
Laurel Main Street will host the festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout downtown Laurel.
The festival will feature craft, retail, food, and activity vendors, along with live music on three stages, an increase from two stages in previous years.
Families can enjoy carnival rides, inflatables, a petting zoo, and games in the kids’ area. Chainsaw artist Dayton Scoggins will also carve sculptures live, with his work available for purchase. Due to ongoing construction, Scoggins will be located on Commerce Street between The Knight Butcher and BankFirst.
Cannon Motors, the festival’s signature sponsor, will also showcase its new model year vehicles.
“The Loblolly Festival has been a downtown Laurel tradition for 18 years, and we’re excited to welcome everyone back,” Laurel Main Street executive director Caroline Burks said.
The music lineup includes:
Homa Casino Stage
- Cody Daley Band, 9:30 a.m.-noon
- A’akeelah & The Beats, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Front Street Stage
- Holly Rumbarger, 1:10 p.m.
- Jeff Bates, 1:30 p.m.
- Paulette Carlson, 2:30 p.m.
- Jason D. Williams, 3:10 p.m.
City Hall Stage
- Ford Scharman, 10-11:15 a.m.
- Holly Rumbarger, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Galen Martin & The Crutches, 1:30-3 p.m.
Public parking will be available in outlying lots.
Beginning at midnight Friday, Central Avenue, North 5th Avenue south of Sawmill Road, West Oak Street, North Magnolia Street, and Commerce Street will be closed to through traffic and public parking.
The festival is free and open to the public. It is made possible through support from the city of Laurel and Jones County Board of Supervisors.
