MISSISSIPPI STATE – The arts, history and music of the past will be celebrated at the seventh annual Piney Woods Festival at Mississippi State University’s Crosby Arboretum in Picayune.

The festival will provide an opportunity for attendees to have fun while learning about the early days of the Piney Woods region.

“The arboretum provides the perfect setting for learning about arts and heritage crafts,” said Patricia Drackett, the arboretum’s senior curator. “We want to preserve those arts by providing a fun and interactive event.”

Preregistered school groups will visit from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Nov. 13. The cost is $2 per child, and the admission is waived for teachers, chaperones and bus drivers. The general public is invited to attend Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The general public admission is $2 for children and $5 for adults.

On Nov. 13, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science will entertain school groups with an exhibit called “Critters of the Piney Woods,” showing the types of wildlife the settlers encountered years ago. Live music and performances such as bluegrass, dulcimer playing and clogging will be featured Nov. 14 for the general public. Guests can enjoy exhibits and demonstrations such as blacksmithing, woodcarving, spinning and basket making on both days.

“We are encouraging school and home school groups to register as soon as possible for this event,” Drackett said. “We still have time slots available and a whole host of educational activities school-age children will surely enjoy.”

MSU’s Crosby Arboretum is located in Picayune at 370 Ridge Road. Take Exit 4 off Interstate 59.

To learn more or to preregister a school group, call the arboretum at (601) 799-2311.

Writer: Karen Templeton