This
is an exciting year. With 2003 marking the official proclamation
of The Year of the Blues, the Delta has reason to sing.
Mississippi Development Authority’s Division of
Tourism is excited about this wonderful proclamation,
and we know that the Delta, a land rich with history,
culture, and music, continues to attract visitors from
all over the world. The Delta offers tourists an incredible
and authentic experience, and for this special year, what
better place to celebrate The Year of the Blues than in
its birthplace!
While many tourism destinations in the U.S. have experienced
downward turns in their numbers from a sluggish economy,
Mississippi’s numbers have continued to rise. We
believe that this is due to our distinct charm, ambiance,
and affordability, making it the perfect place for a weekend
getaway. More often, people are driving to their destinations,
and Mississippi has continued to see an influx in our
drive market.
In Tunica, the third largest gaming location in the nation,
tourists can experience non-stop, Vegas-style gaming,
eat at wonderful restaurants, relax at the spa, and get
a wonderful taste of the Mississippi Delta. Here the contemporary
blends with the historical, as the Tunica Museum details
how life has changed for this area affected so much by
the great Mississippi River. Visitors still enjoy eating
at the Blue and White or at the Hollywood, a place that
fostered Mark Cohn’s chart-topping song, “Walking
in Memphis”. Tourists will also enjoy the RiverPark,
Tunica’s soon-to-open interpretive center that will
allow viewing access of the river, river cruises, and
an exploration into this body of water and how it has
changed the life of the land it has passed through.
The Delta leaves its viewers with a sense of awe, a sense
of history, and a sense of place that creates an understanding
of the land, the art, the literature, the music, and the
experience it has produced. In Greenville, one can go
to the William Alexander Percy Memorial Library and view
a stout exhibit of Greenville authors, an extraordinary
look at how a community so small has produced a literary
heritage so rich. People from all over flock to the banks
of Deer Creek, where the Jim Henson Exhibit sits in Leland,
and get a glimpse into the small world that birthed the
majesty of America’s beloved Kermit the Frog. Famous
for its tamales and steaks, world renown Doe’s always
has a friendly smile to lend while serving great Delta
food.
In Cleveland, tourists can dine at KC’s, enjoy a
gourmet meal, and view what is probably the state’s
most extensive wine list. New to Cleveland is the Warehouse,
a wonderful antique market, art gallery, and restaurant,
rolled into one unique experience in a renovated Cleveland
warehouse. Tourists also enjoy staying at Molly’s
Bed and Breakfast, where Floyd Shaman and his wife Molly
greet their guests with a warm smile and allow them the
treat of viewing Floyd’s wonderful wood sculptures
adorning the home. Of course, those in search of a Blues
experience like to travel to Airport Grocery, located
on Highway 8, that offers great down-home food in an old
grocery store. Blues musician Willie Foster recorded his
CD Live at Airport Grocery right here.
Many don’t realize that Mound Bayou was one of the
first African-American incorporated towns in the United
States, founded by freed slaves in the late 1800s. Exploring
it provides a captivating experience in viewing the remains
of the community life they experienced at the time.
In Greenwood, industrial icon, Viking, Inc., is currently
building the Alluvian hotel, a very luxurious, upscale
hotel that tourists will flock to once it opens in April.
The city’s Grand Boulevard, appropriately named,
allows people to see the beautiful homes that grace the
town. Tourists also enjoy the Greenwood Blues Heritage
Museum and Gallery, where photographs and other memorabilia
illustrate the lives of Robert Johnson and other legendary
Blues musicians. And who doesn’t enjoy Greenwood’s
special Balloon Fest every year?
Clarksdale’s Blues Museum chronicles the life of
the Blues and its legends and their contributions to the
world. Madidi restaurant, which offers superb dining,
and Ground Zero Blues Club, which offers down-home cooking
and down-home Blues, are a treat for tourists, who never
know if they might get a glimpse of their owner, Morgan
Freeman, who frequently visits.
Residents in Indianola, and throughout the whole state
anticipate B.B. King’s return every year in June
to his hometown of Indianola. It’s always a cause
for a celebration to see this wonderful musician return
to be with his fellow Mississippians every year, a musician
devoted to his beloved Mississippi.
While all of this is exciting and wonderful, it is, of
course, just a snapshot into the Delta and what the Tourism
Industry in this distinct region of our state is doing.
Tourists and residents alike should call Mississippi’s
Division of Tourism at 1-866-SEE MISS or visit our website
at www.visitmississippi.org for a comprehensive listing
of events, attractions, themed itineraries, and more.
The Division of Tourism has worked very hard to ensure
that accurate information is readily available on the
vast choices of attractions in the state. Individual Convention
and Visitors Bureaus in cities across the Delta are available
to give information and offer suggestions to those who
want to get a better look into this rich land.
Mississippi has much to offer the world. From heritage
to the arts, from culinary genius to catfish and watermelon,
from fast-paced Casino excitement and festivals to the
meandering charm of driving through the Delta, this region
and indeed Mississippi, captures us all. Exploring roots
in Mississippi is a fascinating experience. It changes
us somewhat, and it allows us to grow. Our charm is as
wide and deep as the River, and as rich as the soil beneath
our feet. I encourage you to explore, too, and in such
an exciting year, searching for the place to explore is
easy: Mississippi. It simply “feels like coming
home”. DBJ
(Darienne
Wilson is the Director of the Mississippi Development
Authority’s Tourism Development Division. )
