Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Parade - Downtown Laurel. Held the 3rd weekend of each January.
February
Laurel Junior Auxiliary Gala
Black-tie event held to raise money for the Laurel Junior Auxiliary service projects including Family Matters Clothes Closet, Kids Count Drug Program and Salvation Army Christmas Assistance. This gala is held each February.
April
George S. Gardiner High School Reunion
Graduates assemble for festivities every even year during the last week of April.
Women’s Life Conference
Sponsored by South Central Regional Medical Center, this Saturday event is generally held in late April or Early May with topics of interest to women presented by celebrity guests.
May
Day in the Park
Sponsored by the Laurel Arts League, is a 25-year-old arts festival held outdoors in Mason Park. The festival brings a wide range of talented artisans to Laurel for a full day of enjoyment the first Saturday in May. For more information visit their website at www.laurelartsleague.com.
Mother’s Day Blues Festival
Held Mother’s Day weekend at the Laurel Fairgrounds, this event brings blues musicians such as Mel Waiters, Shirley Brown, Ms. Jody, and Bobby “Blue” Bland. Call for ticket information (601) 426-4646
June
Blues Bash
A night of cool beats and good eats on the front lawn of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, located at the corner of 5th Avenue and 7th Street in historic downtown Laurel. A live blues band entertains on the front stage (past performers have included The Houserockers, King Edward, The Beale Street Blues Band and James "Super Chickan" Johnson), while good old-fashioned barbecue plates are served around back. Bring your family and your lawn chairs, rain or shine, to this last blast of the summer. Call (601) 649-6374 for more information.
Lonesome Pines Memorial Red Cross Bluegrass Festival
Held twice each year just outside of Laurel, features nationally renowned Bluegrass artists. Hear the best of Bluegrass Thursday - Saturday, and plan to stay in the Lonesome Pine Bluegrass Park. About 200 RV sites are available, and the park opens the Sunday prior to the festival. some of the artists included during the June festival art the Osborne Brothers, The Tennessee Gentlemen, and The Karl Shiflett Big Country Show. Proceeds benefit the Pine Belt Chapter American Red Cross. For more information call (601) 426-9071.
B95 Colgate County Showdown Magnolia Festival
Held the 1st Saturday in June each year, this event features food, crafts and a country music showdown.
July
Oak Park Reunion
Graduates of Oak Park High School assemble bi-annually during the week of July 4th.
Independence Day Fireworks Show
Spectacular fireworks display held each year at 9:15 p. m. on July 3rd. Free to the public.
August
National Night Out Against Crime
The 25th Annual National Night Out Against Crime is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by Laurel Police Department to be held Tuesday, August 5, 2008 in Mason Park from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. The community is cordially invited to be a part of the 2008 Night Out Against Crime.
National Night Out (NNO) is designed to:
° Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
° Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
° Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
° Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
October
Heritage Arts Festival
Held the first Saturday in October on the front lawn of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, located at the corner of 5th Avenue and 7th Street in historic downtown Laurel. The full day of art activities and artist demonstrations is made all the more enjoyable by live music from such acts as The Sherman Lee Dillon Family Band and Bobby Hathorn, who plays the guitar, fiddle, dobro, banjo and bass. All activities (including lunch) are free of charge and open to the public. For more information, call the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art at (601) 649-6374.
Lonesome Pines Memorial Red Cross Bluegrass Festival
Held twice each year just outside of Laurel, features nationally renowned Bluegrass artists. Hear the best of Bluegrass Thursday - Saturday, and plan to stay in the Lonesome Pine Bluegrass Park. About 200 RV sites are available, and the park opens the Sunday prior to the festival. Proceeds benefit the Pine Belt Chapter American Red Cross. For more information call (601) 426-9071.
Rotary Fest
Held the last weekend of October in nearby Ellisville, brings local entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, and food vendors together in downtown Ellisville for a day filled with fun. For more information call (601) 477-9201.
Loblolly Festival
The 14th Annual Main Street Festival in downtown Laurel will now be called the Loblolly Festival. This event will be coordinated by the Laurel Main Street program, Laurel Express.
For more information, call (601) 433.3255 or email laurelexpress@gmail.com.
For vendor applications, visit www.loblollyfestival.com
South MS Fair
Held annually the third week in October, midway rides, great food and fun for the entire family.
November
Landrum's Country Homestead & Village "Annual Christmas at the Village" Open House
Held the Saturday after Thanksgiving 9 am - 9 pm with candelight tour at 5 pm. 10 acres of beauty, fun & adventure. A working homestead with gem-mining, a blacksmith shop, Confederate soldiers encampment, entertainment, Indian village, general store. Enjoy barbecue & funnel cakes from the "ole smokehouse". For more information call (601) 649-2546 or www.landrums.com
December
Laurel Sertoma's Christmas Parade
Mississippi's largest Christmas parade! It occurs annually on the first Saturday in December at 10 a.m. Route runs through the business district in Historic Downtown Laurel. It's a Laurel tradition!
Laurel Kiwanis Annual Pancake Day
A Laurel tradition just like going to the Christmas parade! Pancakes are sold in three locations - the Oak Street YWCO, First Baptist Church Family Life Center and the Pine Belt Education Center (old Gibson's building). Held on the first Saturday in December.
"Happy Holidays"
A seasonal display of over 800,000 lights held in Mason Park. Opening ceremony first Saturday evening in December. Featuring seasonal music, dancing, and visit from Santa. Food and drinks available. Seating not provided - please bring your own. For further information or call the Mayor's office at (601) 428-6401.
Holiday Homes Tour
Holiday tour of select Laurel homes will be held on December 12, 2010. Sponsored by the Laurel Council of Garden Clubs.