STARKVILLE, Miss. – Bolivar County, Mississippi, is the place to be for rice connoisseurs Sept. 21.

Rice Fest will highlight the commodity from 4-9 p.m. in downtown Merigold.  Not only is it National Rice Month, but this year marks the 33rd year Delta Rice Promotions has highlighted the state’s rice producers and industry. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

“The purpose has always been to make the public aware of the versatility of rice and to show appreciation to those who are in the rice industry,” said Laura Jane Giaccaglia, coordinator for the Mississippi State University Extension Service in Bolivar County and chair of Delta Rice Promotions.

“There will be rice dishes from local restaurants for tasting along with vendors, exhibitors, live music and children’s activities,” she said. “To top off the festival, a Delta Rice Queen and Ambassador will be announced.”

Bolivar County produces the most rice of any county in Mississippi with 28,800 acres of the row crop grown in 2022. Mississippi ranks sixth in the country in total rice production with a $97 million value of production last year. The state boasts more than 200 rice farms.

The event is a partnership between MSU Extension, Mississippi Farm Bureau and the Mississippi Rice Promotion Board.

For more information, visit http://deltaricepromotions.org.