By Bob Garver On more than one level, “DC League of Super-Pets” falls right between “The Secret Life of Pets” and “The Lego Movie.” Like “The Secret Life of Pets,” the movie is an animated comedy that follows domesticated animals whose voices can’t be understood by humans as they learn to make friends for themselves without their coddling owners. And both movies have Kevin Hart, can’t forget that. Like “The Lego Movie,” the cast of characters includes the entire Justice League (and some other fun DC cameos), though they spend the majority of the film’s running time incapacitated. Both films feature funny casting choices for popular characters, which is an invaluable tool for arguing that, say, Will Arnett and Keanu Reeves are both technically part of the Batman canon. The result of the amalgamation is a movie that should be pleasing to both animal lovers and comics nerds. Dwayne Johnson stars as Krypto, dog to Superman (John Krasinski). Krypto also has Kryptonian superpowers, as he stowed away with Superman on that Krypton-escaping rocket when they were both little. Now the two fight crime and save Metropolis side-by-side daily, but Superman’s attentions have been… branching out lately thanks to his relationship with Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde). Krypto is afraid of losing his best friend, especially when he learns that Supes plans to ask Lois to marry him. Superman senses that Krypto is about to feel left out of his new life, so he goes to an animal shelter to see about getting Krypto a friend. At the shelter is Ace (Hart), a dog with a tragic backstory that just wants to bust everyone out of the shelter so they can all move to a nice farm upstate. Other animals include pig PB (Vanessa Bayer), squirrel Chip (Diego Luna), turtle Merton (Natasha Lyonne), and hairless guinea pig Lulu (Kate McKinnon). Krypto and Ace don’t like each other, with Krypto looking down on Ace for not having superpowers or an owner, and Ace not liking Krypto for his condescension. Since the characters are voiced by frequent collaborators Johnson and Hart, you can probably guess that they’ll soon be paired up for the rest of the movie. The adventure kicks into gear when Lex Luthor (Marc Maron) tries to defeat Superman with orange Kryptonite. The plan fails because humans can’t use the substance, but animals can. A shard of the stuff falls into the shelter, where Ace and the other animals gain superpowers, while Krypto loses his. Lulu, a former testing animal at LexCorp, is thrilled at the prospect of rejoining her former owner and conquering the world together. It turns out that she’s a lot more competent at taking out the Justice League than Lex ever was. It’s up to Krypto, Ace, and the other shelter animals to save the day, even though Krypto is without his powers and Ace and the others don’t know how to behave heroically. I previously mentioned that “DC League of Super-Pets” fell between “The Secret Life of Pets” and “The Lego Movie” on more than one level. One of those levels is that story elements are mashed together, but another level is quality. I found that this movie had a sharper wit and more likeable characters than the former, but less imagination and more clumsy jokes than the latter. Grade-wise, I felt that those movies were a high C and a low A, respectively, and the average of the two seems just right for this perfectly agreeable movie that doesn’t quite reach the upper echelons of animated filmmaking. Grade: B “DC League of Super-Pets” is rated PG for action, mild violence, language and rude humor. Its running time is 106 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Southern Business Institute is gearing up for its inaugural event, CollabSouth, for the small business community of Jackson. Founders and employees of small businesses are invited to attend this one-day conference on August 26th to hear from experts within their community. Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson will be the keynote speaker. Several other speakers and panelists will discuss topics such as business growth and development, marketing, accounting, human resources, and more. “Small businesses are vital to the state of Mississippi, and we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to set them up for success,” said Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson. “I am honored to be speaking at this event and believe it will be a day packed with opportunities for business owners to learn, grow, and network to ensure they continue to be successful.” During the height of the pandemic in 2020, Susan Woods, Allison Muirhead, and Mary Margaret Gay founded the Southern Business Institute as a collaborative membership group for small businesses in the South to help align business interests, empower business owners, and share resources. CollabSouth will be the first community-wide event and will include breakout groups and panel discussions to help entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. “During the pandemic, we saw that small businesses took a big hit. We founded the Institute to empower small businesses and provide them with the resources and community necessary to thrive,” said Susan Woods, Co-Founder of Southern Business Institute. “We’re very excited to connect business owners and cultivate this community in Jackson.” CollabSouth will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 26th, at the Country Club of Jackson, followed by a cocktail hour for attendees to network with other entrepreneurs. Tickets can be purchased on Southern Business Institute’s website, southernbusinessinstitute.com/collabsouth. Follow Southern Business Institute on Instagram @southernbusinessinstitute to get updates on the event.

Today, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) - through a joint investigation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - is announcing the discovery of an uncommon bacteria (that causes melioidosis) identified in the environment in the United States (US) for the first time. Melioidosis is a rare disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. These bacteria were identified in soil samples from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi (MS). The investigation was conducted because two individuals (cases) of melioidosis - both on the Gulf Coast - became sick two years apart. Soil samples collected around the patients' homes tested positive for the bacteria at the CDC. This indicates that bacteria from the environment was the likely source of infection for both individuals and that the bacteria have been present since 2020. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says most cases that occur in the US are because of travel to other countries where the bacteria have been known to normally occur. "Typically, we see these bacteria in countries where the bacteria are endemic or where it normally occurs. Burkholderia pseudomallei normally occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas like Southeast Asia or Central or South America. Because of the identification of this bacteria on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, persons at high risk for severe infection living on the Gulf Coast should take recommended precautions." Melioidosis is an infectious disease and is caused by direct contact with Burkholderia pseudomallei in contaminated soil or water. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, and headache. Infection can lead to pneumonia and blood infections (sepsis). Most healthy people who come into contact with Burkholderia pseudomallei never develop melioidosis. Individuals living on the Gulf Coast who have chronic illnesses such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, or excessive alcohol use may be at risk of severe illness from infection and need to take precautions to protect themselves. Those at risk should: Avoid contact with soil or muddy water - especially after heavy rains. Protect open wounds with waterproof dressing. Wear waterproof boots when gardening, doing yard work or agricultural work - it is critical to prevent infection through the feet and lower legs (after flooding or storms). Wear gloves to protect your hands when working directly with soil. Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.

Andy has always said that his dad, whom I never had the privilege of meeting, was a fairly mild-mannered easy-going guy. Respected and well-liked in his rural community, a boys’ baseball coach, and a church-goer – seems he had a friendly word for everyone. Even when riled, he wasn’t a man to easily lose control of his temper. Like everyone, he did have one, he just usually kept it pretty well under. Except. From listening to the family telling stories of yesteryear, there were two things in life that made that man lose his grip; one was cows and pigs that refused to cooperate when they were being loaded into the chute. And the other that lit his fuse? Hitting his thumb with a badly-aimed hammer blow. From what I understand, a stubborn Bossy The Cow or Pearl The Pig could suddenly become the recipient of very imaginative names not normally given to four-legged animals. And on fence-building days? The air on their farm would take on a whole new shade of blue when his dad splattered his thumb at that task. Then his kids would spend the next half-hour searching for his hammer. Eventually finding it in the neighbor’s pasture. Sound kinda familiar? You may not be a hammer-wielding farmer with bad aim and five kids snickering when you miss. And you may not be the proud owner of panicked pigs and cows that suddenly have their own ideas when it comes to being loaded up and taken to the slaughter house. But. Probably you are the owner of a temper. Whether it reminds people of instantly combustible Fire From Hell Itself, or slow simmering Volcanic Lava, you most likely own one. Seems to be part of being a human being. I have never met anyone yet who absolutely never has a flareup of that ‘thing’ inside of us, that attitude that lets those around us know we are not a happy camper. But maybe, you actually are known worldwide as Calm Calvin or Sweetheart Sara. You are one of those rare species who never shows any anger or disgust, and never disagrees with anyone. Then I would venture to guess you may privately deal with things like tension headaches, upset stomach, sudden diarrhea, or stomach ulcers. Not a good trade-off. Better plan? Learn to express your displeasure, (without a missing hammer) listen to the opposing opinion if there is any, create a workable solution, ask and give forgiveness when needed, and then move on. Life is way-y-y-y-y-y too hard to spend your time holding your emotions in so tightly that you become ill. You will eventually find yourself spending a portion of your time dealing with that illness, instead of just simply living openly and honestly. Learn to feel it, express it, and deal with it. But just remember, everyone else is dealing with difficult emotions and situations too. Let’s cut each other some slack.

By Kara Kimbrough July is almost over, then August lies ahead and before we know it, Labor Day will be here. I bring this up because I indulge in ice cream during the summer months, then stop my addiction cold turkey when Labor Day arrives. Before you say it, yes, I know that residents of Mississippi still eat ice cream after summer’s over. But let’s face it, ice cream – whether it’s homemade using slighter healthier ingredients, or purchased in the supermarket, is not very figure-friendly. In short, it’s filled with fat and calories, requiring a cut-off point in my summer indulgence. At the beginning of the summer, I happily pulled out my ice cream and sorbet maker, anticipating a delightfully-cool treat for dessert. I loaded it with ice cream ingredients, only to hear a sad little whimper when I plugged it in. That may explain its presence on the clearance aisle. Not to be deterred, I searched in vain for a replacement. I combined the ingredients in my mixer and froze the entire thing. The final product was chunky and somewhat rough in texture, but still delicious. Instead of seeking a replacement for my derelict ice cream maker, I decided there was only one sensible thing to do – go to the source…the king…the standard-setter for store-bought ice cream. In case you haven’t guessed by now, yes, I’m referring to Blue Bell. I don’t know how they do it, but their ice cream is quite simply the best I’ve ever tasted. I’ve tried almost every flavor and can report that each one of them lived up to my high ice cream standards. If your ice cream maker is still running and a trip to the supermarket isn’t on the horizon, here are three of my favorite ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt recipes. And remember, if things don’t work out, Blue Bell will be waiting. Frozen Strawberry Yogurt 1 bag (20 ounces) frozen unsweetened strawberries 1 8-ounce container vanilla or strawberry low fat yogurt 1 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Allow strawberries to defrost 10 minutes (they need to be soft frozen). Place berries in food processor and pulse until real fine. Add yogurt while processor is running. Add sugar and lemon juice. Serve right out of the processor or place in a container and freeze to serve later. Orange Sherbet 1 liter orange carbonated drink 8-1/2 ounce can crushed pineapple (undrained) 7-ounce can sweetened condensed milk Combine all ingredients and pour in ice cream freezer. After churning for about an hour, pour into a bread pan, cover and place in the freezer for several hours. Peach Ice Cream 3 pints half and half cream 1 pint whipping cream 1 teaspoon almond flavoring 3-4 cups fresh peaches, chopped, or 2 10-ounce packages frozen peaches 1-1/2 cups sugar Mix ingredients and pour in ice cream freezer to process. Makes 1 gallon. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Join us in Bolton, MS for a 5 session Financial Education Boot Camp! Starting Thursday, July 28 we are partnering with Mississippi Community Financial Access Coalition for an event where you'll have the opportunity to learn how to reduce debt, start saving, and identify community financial resources. This FREE event will be held Thursday nights from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Asbury Methodist Church. Refreshments will be provided and there will be door prizes! Follow the link for more details and register today!

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame will hold its annual Induction Weekend presented by Sanderson Farms and the Sanderson Farms Championship on Friday, July, 29th and Saturday, July, 30th. Members of the Class of 2022 include: All-American swimmer Maggie Bowen Hanna, basketball coach Kermit Davis, Sr., football coaches Bob Tyler and Willis Wright, baseball players Barry Lyons and David Dellucci, NFL receiving great Eric Moulds, and PGA golfer Jim Gallagher, Jr. The weekend’s events will kick off Friday night with the Drawdown of Champions at the Madison Healthplex from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. The evening will feature an introduction to the Class of 2022, a silent auction, and a $5,000 drawdown. Guests can enjoy food from restaurants across the metro area, as well as an open bar. The Hall of Fame will host a Meet the Inductees autograph session from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Museum. The Class of 2022, as well as previously inducted stars, will be available to chat, take pictures, and sign autographs for fans. Regular museum admission will be charged. On Saturday evening, the Induction Banquet presented by Sanderson Farms and the Sanderson Farms Championship will take place at the Jackson Convention Complex. The eight members of the Class of 2022 will be available to the media for interviews at 5:00 p.m. From 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., inductees will be in the lobby reception to greet fans and supporters. At 7:00 p.m., the program and formal enshrinement will begin. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the museum offices or online at msfame.com

July 25th | Christmas in July | 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Join us for the final Magic Monday of summer and celebrate Christmas in July on Monday, July 25th at the Mississippi Children's Museum (MCM)! Christmas in July will include a special visit from Santa from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and festive holiday programming. Wear your favorite Christmas outfit and get your picture with Santa, plus give him your wishlist early this year. Parents, this is also a great time to start Christmas shopping and enjoy 25% off select merchandise in the MCM Trading Post. July 30th – Harry Potter's Birthday Join the Mississippi Children's Museum (MCM) as we celebrate Harry Potter Day on Saturday, July 30th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. J.K. Rowling has inspired millions of young readers with series character, Harry Potter. During Harry Potter Day, children and adults will be inspired by the literary, fantastical world of Harry Potter and other characters! Festivities will include a Potions Class where guests will create Calming Drought Glitter Bottles, a Transfiguration Class where you will learn about Non-Newtonian Fluids, and a visit to Ollivander's Wand Shop where you can create a circuitry wand to cast Lumos! Costumes are encouraged. August 6th – Back to School Bash On Saturday, August 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., the Mississippi Children's Museum (MCM) will host a Back to School Bash to celebrate the beginning of a new school year with a luau themed party. Say goodbye to summer and aloha to a new school year at MCM's Back to School Bash. Wear your hula skits and leis and join us for the last luau before school is back in session. And don't miss our special guest author, Cindy Bell, as she leads book readings from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Her book will be available for purchase at the MCM Trading Post.

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is responding to misinformation about the Mississippi State Board of Education’s policy update today regarding weapons on school campuses in the state’s public schools. MDE is offering this clarification in response to some media reports that misinterpreted the intent and effect of the State Board’s vote. The State Board has taken no action to allow guns in schools. The State Board’s action does not give school personnel the ability to carry guns in schools. Rather, the State Board’s vote today removed language from a policy that conflicted with Mississippi’s 2011 enhanced conceal carry laws. The policy update is part of an ongoing review of State Board policies to make sure all are up to date and in compliance with current law. Today’s State Board policy update still requires local school districts to establish policies regarding weapons on campus. In reviewing their current policies, local school districts should consult with their board attorney to ensure compliance with federal and state law. Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.

By Kara Kimbrough Any untimely passing is sad but made even worse upon learning the person died tragically. Such was the story of Naomi Judd, beloved singer and actress, best known as the “dancing Judd” who harmonized with her daughter, Wynonna. What many don’t know is that Naomi was an amazing cook – so good, in fact, that she authored a cookbook in 1997 entitled “Naomi’s Home Companion” at the height of the Judds’ fame. Instead of focusing on the headline-making facts of her death, I reread the book filled with, as she described it, “favorite recipes, food for thought and kitchen wit and wisdom.” I purchased the book in 1997 after meeting her and her daughter at a pre-concert meet-and-greet backstage at Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson. Wynonna was touted as the best singer of the duo, but that night, everyone’s attention was focused squarely on the diminutive Naomi. She was luminescent in a short, white dress featuring a twirly skirt and millions of sequins. When it was my turn to walk up to the mother and daughter for a group photo, I vaguely remember hearing “Aren’t you sweet!” and possibly, “Bless your heart!” as I awkwardly blurted out that she had a beautiful complexion. Besides her genuine warmth, she struck me as one of prettiest women I’d ever seen. I bought the cookbook primarily to see photos of Naomi’s celebrity kitchen but was soon enthralled by her stories of cooking favorite meals for her husband, Larry Strickland, former backup singer for Elvis, health tips (she was discovered while working as a nurse), tales of growing up poor in the south and pages and pages of down-to-earth and quite useful life tips. One that’s stuck with me over the years was her advice to “never let others tell you who you are.” After hearing of her death in April, I pulled out Naomi’s Home Companion and flipped through the pages filled with upbeat commentary and as stated, very practical advice on how to successfully navigate life. I’m not sure what happened in the years between 1997, when she and her daughter appeared on top of the world and her upbeat words inspired me and her decision a few months ago to end her life. I’m truly sad she felt alone and sad at the end. However, I’m happy that her words and especially her recipes will endure through her book. Here are three of my favorite "Naomi recipes" – hopefully they’ll spread love and positivity in your kitchen and in your home. Stuffed Pork Chops for Larry ¼ cup butter ¾ cup diced onion ¾ cup diced celery 1 teaspoon ground sage 1-3/4 cups water 1 container (6 ounces) stove-top stuffing 4 thick, center-cut pork chops (about 2 pounds) In a medium saucepan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook stirring occasionally, until softened, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the sage and the 1-3/4 cups water. Bring to a boil and then stir in the stuffing mix. Remove saucepan from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir the stuffing with a fork to fluff. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9” baking dish. Meanwhile, cut a slit in the side of each chop to form a pocket. Stuff each chop with about ½ cup of stuffing. Place chops in the prepared baking dish and spoon remaining stuffing around the chops. Cover the dish with foil. Bake in 350-degree oven until chops are tender and no longer pink in the middle, about 40 minutes. Remove foil from the dish and bake another 10 minutes. Naomi’s note: “When Larry has a difficult day, he’ll call home and ask for (this dish), his comfort meal. The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Kara’s note: I don’t care for sage, so I substitute rosemary, thyme, oregano or other spice. Fresh Green Beans and Potatoes 8 slices bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces 4 pounds green beans, trimmed and snapped or cut into bite-size pieces 2 big onions, (optional), cut into quarters Water as needed, about 3 cups 10-12 small new red potatoes, scrubbed and with skins, halved ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper In a large pot, cook bacon to render the fat and then remove the bacon to paper towels to drain. Stir in the green beans and onions, if using, and cook until beans have absorbed some of the fat and turned bright green. Then add enough water to come to within 1 inch of top of beans. Cover and cook over low heat until almost done, about 1 hour. Add the potatoes, salt, pepper and more water if necessary. Cook until the potatoes are done, about 15 minutes. If you want, scatter bacon pieces over the top. Naomi’s note: “Mama made this summer meal of green beans and potatoes, with sliced tomatoes, fresh corn on the cob and a pan of cornbread.” Wynonna’s Cherry Jell-O-O Salad 2 cups water 1 6-ounce box cherry-flavored Jell-O 1 small can fruit cocktail 1 banana, diced ½ cup chopped walnuts In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in the Jell-O until dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in fruit cocktail, banana and nuts. Pour into an 8x8x2-inch square baking pan or 4-cup mold or bowl or 7 1/2 -cup molds. Refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. If you want the fruits and nuts to be evenly distributed, first chill Jell-O-O without any additions, for 30-40 minutes. Naomi’s note: “Growing up, Wynonna loved Jell-O-O salad- she still does. One day I didn’t have her Jell-O-O salad on the second shelf in the refrigerator and she hollered at me, ‘Mommy, you don’t love me anymore!’ Isn’t it funny who we show love for each other and how we’re comforted by little things?” Recipes from Naomi's Home Companion, 1997. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Bob Garver “Where the Crawdads Sing” is being pushed as one of those literary adaptations that kicks off a whole litany of adaptations. We had magic and fantasy with “Harry Potter,” supernatural romances with “Twilight,” dystopian ordeals with “The Hunger Games,” and that weird trend of relationships complicated by increasingly rare diseases with “The Fault in Our Stars.” I think this one is supposed to kick off a trend of adaptations of books about recluses. Or maybe about the South. Or murders and trials. Judging by this movie’s unimpressive critical reception and third-place box office finish in its opening weekend, I highly doubt that it’s going to be the start of any such movement. The movie opens with the discovery of a dead body in rural North Carolina – that of local (figurative) ladykiller Chase (Harris Dickenson). The police are baffled as to how he wound up dead, but suspect foul play, specifically by ex-girlfriend Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones). They come to Kya’s marshland shack to question her, and she flees, making her look even more suspicious. Kya is arrested and defended in court by angelic lawyer Tom Milton (David Strathairn, his Atticus-Finch-O-Meter turned up to 10). Milton makes mincemeat out of the incompetent prosecution’s case, but there’s still the matter of getting the jury on Kya’s side. Kya is something of a pariah in the community for her poverty and reclusiveness, and the jury is bound to be prejudiced against her. Frankly I found it a stretch that the pretty white woman was in too much danger from prejudice, but the movie insists that the town is ready to execute her because she lives off the beaten path. We follow Kya’s tragic life story through extensive flashbacks. Her abusive, alcoholic father (Garrett Dillahunt) drove away the rest of her family until one day he too disappeared. She had to learn to fend for herself from an early age, as she wasn’t welcome at the local school and didn’t want to live in a group home. But there were a few well-wishers like Milton, the couple that ran the general store (Sterling Mercer Jr. and Michael Hyatt), and the studious Tate (Taylor John Smith). Kya and Tate enter into a relationship, but he breaks her heart. As a rebound, she begins seeing eventual corpse Chase, who starts off pushy and mildly unlikeable and eventually becomes dangerous and deserving of his fate. These scenes are intercut with the trial, where it’s a wonder the jury doesn’t sympathize with Kya from day one. At the center of the film is Daisy Edgar-Jones’ star-making performance, and it’s a good one. I can’t say the movie does a great job of making her look like someone that has been beaten down by elements her whole life (similar to how I thought Ansel Elgort was too good-looking for his role in “West Side Story”), but everything she contributes to the performance, she nails. This movie isn’t quite good enough to shoot her to the top of Hollywood right away, but it’ll be enough to get her more leading roles that will get her to the top. Despite the strengths of Edgar-Jones, “Where the Crawdads Sing” is otherwise a mess. The balance of flashbacks and trial scenes is all out of whack, it’s hard to tell how much time is passing between flashbacks, and the whole thing is just too sappy for its own good, save for some horrific scenes of abuse. I’m not particularly happy that I had to see this movie, and I’m certainly not eager to see more like it. Going by its box office performance, neither is anyone else. Grade: C- “Where the Crawdads Sing” is rated PG-13 for sexual content and violence including a sexual assault. Its running time is 125 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

The Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo, hosted by The Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and presented by Southern AgCredit, will be held at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds from Friday, August 5, through Sunday, August 7, in the Trade Mart. Joining the Expo will be the exciting Bulls, Bands and Barrels event, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, at the Mississippi Coliseum. Featuring rising country music star, Chase Matthew along with Justin Champagne and Cole Jones, Bulls, Bands and Barrels promises to be an unforgettable experience. World renowned championship cowboy Chris Shivers will be a featured guest participant at Bulls, Bands and Barrels. “Agriculture and the great outdoors go hand in hand, and the Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo provides a great opportunity to bring ag and outdoor enthusiasts together at one event. We are excited to partner with the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Foundation and look forward to serving as the host location for this event once again.” said Andy Gipson, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. The Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo, the state’s premier outdoor show, will fill the 60,000 square foot exhibit floor of the Trade Mart with displays of tractors, implements, power equipment, boats, UTVs, rods, reels, lures, game calls, outdoor clothing and more, all available at special Expo pricing. Also taking place at the Expo will be an archery shoot, a petting zoo presented by Southern AgCredit and presentations by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ Museum of Natural Science and the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum. Sunday is “Kids Day” and children 12 and under will receive free admission. “This show will highlight the incredible hunting, fishing, agricultural and outdoor spirit of our great state,” said Don Brazil, CEO of The Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to be a part of this show, and we look forward to the great time we will have together in August!” Over 100 different vendors will be exhibiting thousands of products. Admission tickets for the Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo are available for purchase at the Mississippi Coliseum Ticket Office. Adult tickets are $12.00, kid’s tickets are $6.00, and children 5-years and younger will be admitted for free. Bulls, Bands and Barrels will present its high energy, non-stop action, heart pounding fun at the Mississippi Coliseum, beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6. Fans will not want to miss entertainment by rising country music star, Chase Matthew along with Justin Champagne and Cole Jones. World renowned championship cowboy, Chris Shivers will be a featured guest/participant at the event as well. Tickets can be purchased at www.BigTickets.com. Adult tickets start at $30 ($5 increase, day of event) and kid’s tickets are $15. For more information, visit BullsBandsandBarrels.com or visit Bulls, Bands and Barrels on Facebook. “Central Mississippi has fantastic people who are among the greatest fans of the type of product we produce. We have been looking at coming here for a while,” said Hunter Price, President and CEO of Bulls, Bands and Barrels. “When we were presented with this opportunity to work with the Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo, hosted by The Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, we couldn’t pass it up. We knew we’d found the right blend of location, great people to work with and great fans. We look forward to pulling out all the stops to help make the Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo weekend one for the books.” Ag and Outdoor Expo Dates and Ticket Info: Show Hours 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Friday, August 5 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Saturday, August 6 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Sunday, August 7 Tickets Adults – 13 years & older … $12.00 Kids – 6-12 years old ………. $6.00 Kids – 5 years and under ….... Free Bulls, Bands and Barrels Dates and Ticket Info: Saturday, August 6, at 7:00 p.m. Adult tickets start at $30 ($5 increase on the day of the event) Kids tickets are $15 Buy your tickets at www.BigTickets.com For more information on the Mississippi Ag & Outdoor Expo, visit www.mississippioutdoorexpo.com.