Happenin' Hattiesburg
An emerging Southern hub
You may not think of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as a bustling hub of the South, but that could be changing—and quickly. Hattiesburg, home to the University of Southern Mississippi, has a rapidly growing tourist trade and a robust creative economy; these two factors, among others, are shaping the city as not only an educational destination, but a cultural one. Director of VisitHBURG Marlo Dorsey points towards a revitalization of downtown and surge in the local music scene as both evidence and drivers of the city's growth.
The embodiment of this cultural bonanza swelling in Southern Mississippi might well be FestivalSouth. The festival celebrates the area's love for great music, film, and all types of art with two weeks of entertainment events for the whole family. This year's festival, which runs from June 9–23, promises to be the biggest yet, with concerts from classical to country, a week-long Film Expo, a Festival 5k, and more!
If you're curious about Hattiesburg, the annual Best of the Pine Belt awards is your jumping off point. The Best of the Pine Belt shines a spotlight on the places and the people of Hattiesburg, highlighting local picks in every category from “Best Place To Cure A Hangover” to “Best Unsung Hero” to “Best Cover Band”. Months of voting buff the area's gems to the best and the brightest, and the crown jewels will be on display at an awards ceremony gala on June 2nd at the Saenger Theatre. The ceremony coincides with the release of the June edition of Signature Magazine, which will run the list of awards as well as the official schedule for FestivalSouth.
The issue will give a rundown of the winners and other favorites from the multitude of categories, so anybody can plan your perfect Pine Belt summer. A point of pride for natives? Absolutely—but the awards also provide a handy road map for visitors flocking to the city for FestivalSouth. In between taking in concerts, films, and family fun, festival-goers can experience some real Hattiesburg hospitality and delve into the vibrant community of Hub City while supporting local businesses. Why not find out for yourself what all the Hattiesburg buzz is about?