The 12th annual Mendenhall in May celebration is scheduled for Saturday May 15. The event has been much anticipated especially after being canceled last year due to the pandemic.
Mississippi Diesel Products and PriorityOne Bank will sponsor the entertainment. Entertainment, which will be provided by Cadie Calhoun, a singer and songwriter in Nashville.
Calhoun started at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Miss. At 10 years old, she began singing with the choir. Her mom and grandmother sang in their church choirs as well. Her family and those around her had always pushed her in the direction of singing.
After an incredible personal journey Calhoun began working in merchandising sales for John Stone, Tootsies Label Artist in Nashville. She toured with John Ston, known for “Momma and Budweiser,” “Shame On Me” and “We All Feel The Pain” and Craig Morgan, who is known for “That’s What I Love About Sundays,” “Redneck Yacht Club” and “International Harvester.”
On tour, Calhoun met Grammy nominated producer/engineer, Aaron Rodgers. Through her relationship with Rodgers, she found her sound with her voice and learned the mechanics of engineering and the language of music. This led to the creation of the Cadie Calhoun Band.
The band’s first big break was playing at the 29th Annual Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo in Hattiesburg, hosted by the University of Southern Mississippi. Then there was a sold out hometown concert at Brewsky’s that same weekend. She also sang at the Veterans and Memorial Day ceremonies from 2006-2016 for Hattiesburg as well.
In Nashville, the band played at all the legendary downtown honky tonks like: Tootsies, Rippy’s, Silver Dollar Saloon, Famous Saloon, Honky Tonk Central, Tequila Cowboy, Big Shotz and the Nashville Palace.
Calhoun credits her musical talents to her strong faith and the extensive support from her family, especially her parents, Dr. Paul and Stephani Calhoun. She firmly believes that her renewed confidence in herself stems from her strong, faith based family and a connection to God, she said. These factors combined with the continued love and extensive support from her parents has enabled her to hone in on her craft.
Cadie Calhoun has been able to produce a truly unique sound and looks forward to perfoming at Mendenhall in May.
The highly successful crawfish boil will be featured again this year, sponsored by Mendenhall Wine and Liquor, Rankin Accounting Services, Café 320, 49 Service Center, Miller Inspections, and Central Pipe. The crawfish will be ready by noon.
Daniel Hite of Big Creek Chainsaw Carving, will carve a sculpture live, during the event. A petting zoo sponsored by Crossgates Veterinarian Clinic, will be offered.
Booth Discount Tires, Napa, and Puckett’s Paint & Body will host a car show.
Other featured activities include a BBQ cook off sponsored by Nick Floyd and Associates, JJ’s 49 Fuel and Food, and Simpson County Memorials. There will be a $100 entry fee to participate, and the winner of the competition will receive a $500 cash prize. Second and third place winners will receive $300 and $200 cash prizes. The competitors will be judged on their ability to cook St. Louis style ribs.
The Peoples Bank Run for the Money 5k is attracting runners. The 5K Run/Walk will begin at 7:30 a.m.
The overall male and female winners of the run/walk will receive a cash prize of $50, and medals will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners of each age group.
The fun run winner will receive a cash prize of $50. The fun run will begin at 9 a.m., and the winners will be announced at noon.
There will also be arts and crafts, a kid’s zone, and plenty of food. Mendenhall in May has always been jam packed with vendors who sell a large variety of items.
Positions for vendors are still available. For more information contact the Mendenhall Area Chamber of Commerce at 601-847-1725. Mendenhall in May shows promise to be a successful fun filled day for the entire family as life returns to normal.
