Top line: The second annual Soulshine Blues and Groove Fest brings more free fun and music to Ridgeland with an afternoon's worth of cool tunes and a somewhat cooler spot to enjoy it.
The festival moves from the hot asphalt to the grassy area next to Soulshine this year, so bring blankets, lawn or festival chairs and even tents to set up; coolers aren't allowed.
The event raises money for prostate cancer awareness and research; it's free but donations by cash or check will be collected at the entrance.
Things get started with the after-party for the Mississippi Heat Triathlon at 11 a.m. Chimneyville is cooking up the festival's food end, with a crawfish boil 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and barbecue throughout the day. A space jump will cater to the kids.
Capital City Beverage will be on hand with Lazy Magnolia beers and lighter selections, and Brown Bottling will have Pepsi products.
Fleet Feet hosts a fun run at 6 p.m.
The Soulshine Blues and Groove Fest, along with Hamstock Saturday in Ridgeland, provide twice as many reasons to get out and about in town.
"It's going to be a long, hot day and I think people are going from one to another," said Soulshine Blue and Groove organizer Chris Sartin. "I think it's only going to help. People want to get out and go to both of them."
With the recent opening of a Soulshine restaurant in Oxford, the musical lineup takes on an Oxford flair with two bands from there. Jay Lang and the Devil's Due brings hill country blues to the scene and The Minor Adjustments will be headlining, with a jam at the end.
When the outside fun drifts toward dark, the fun moves inside Soulshine with music by Fingers Taylor and Bernard Jenkins.
