Hear the Sounds of the True South in Holly Springs

It’s true: Mississippi is the True South. It’s also true that Mississippi is the birthplace of America’s music. Country, blues, rock ‘n’ roll...they all started in Mississippi. No place in the state is that more evident than in Holly Springs.

The Mississippi Blues Trail continues its incredible journey of bringing to life the history of blues music all across the state. Blues Trail markers have been placed at sites where blues musicians lived and entertained. Others are situated at historic streets, train depots, blues clubs, cemeteries and even churches where blues musicians made their mark.

While there is a wealth of blues heritage and numerous Blues Trail markers throughout the Mississippi Delta, there are Blues Trail markers in many other parts of the state, including Holly Springs. To plan a true Mississippi Blues Trail journey, go to http://www.msbluestrail.org/ to discover where all of the markers are located across the state.

Mississippi also has a new Country Music Trail currently in development. From country greats such as Conway Twitty, Charley Pride, Marty Stuart, Faith Hill, Paul Overstreet and others, the Country Music Trail is already giving country music lovers more to enjoy and explore than ever before in Mississippi.

Some must-see stops in the Holly Springs area include:

· Our own Blues Trail Marker on the corner of North Center Street and College honoring Hill Country Bluesmen R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough.

· Aikei Pros where many of the Hill Country bluesmen laid their tunes on wax.

· Foxfire Ranch who offers family friendly Hill Country Blues every Sunday at 4pm in their outdoor pavilion.

· North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic which takes place this year at Foxfire Ranch, June 24th & 25th. It’s a one-of-a-kind blues festival that draws an eclectic crowd from all over the world.

As you can see, Mississippi is in tune with music—its past, present and future. May is the perfect month to journey through the state where America’s music was born. Mississippi’s impact on music is incredible and indisputable. It’s a truth that’s literally heard around the world with so many talented musicians on display. Find your True South in Mississippi and hear it for yourself.

To learn even more to help you plan your musical trip to Holly Springs, contact the Holly Springs Tourism and Recreation Bureau by calling 662-252-2515, dropping by our office at 148 East College Avenue or by visiting us online at http://www.visithollysprings.com/.

It's Time to Tee Off in Holly Springs!

With more than 170 diverse golf courses, temperate spring weather and budget-friendly accommodations, now is the time to enjoy a golf getaway to Mississippi. Golf is the perfect complement to the state’s authentic Southern cuisine, music, outdoors and more. A Mississippi golf vacation offers something for all ages, interests and budgets.

“Mississippi golf is often underrated, but our state offers some of the most beautiful courses and most affordable packages,” said Mary Beth Wilkerson, director of the Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division. “Add in our year round mild weather and a diversity of attractions and activities around the state and you have the ideal destination for experiencing the True South.”

Top Mississippi courses include designs by Fazio, Nicklaus and Palmer. Other standouts include courses crafted by Jerry Pate, Mark McCumber, Davis Love III, Hale Irwin and Bob Cupp. Award-winning courses are found throughout the state, from Biloxi on the Gulf Coast to Tunica and right here in Holly Springs!

At Kirkwood National Golf Course one can truly experience what nature gave us. When planning the course, designers took what Mother Nature had given them to work with and created a beautiful, natural golf course. One of the things that set Kirkwood National apart from other area golf courses is the variety of terrain that golfers will find. There are fairways that are wide open and then some that are tree lined, steep elevation changes, lakes, ponds and creeks.

“Aside from the natural terrain at Kirkwood, there is also an abundance of wildlife on the course. Right now you will see wild turkeys and deer. The deer are so tame that they won't run off when a cart goes by, they just stop and look at the golfers and then go right back to eating,” said Jennifer Barkley with Kirkwood. “This morning I woke up to the sound of geese flying overhead to the lake on hole eighteen."

Another thing that is different about Kirkwood is the onsite accommodations. Lots of courses have somewhere to stay, but the setup of the cottages is unique. Guests can rent just one room or the whole cottage and each cottage features outdoor rockers which are the best way to enjoy a Mississippi sunset.

To learn more, visit Kirkwood’s website at http://www.kirkwoodgolf.com/ or call 800-461-GOLF

To view more details about places you can visit to enjoy the history and heritage of Holly Springs, contact the Holly Springs Tourism and Recreation Bureau by calling 662-252-2515, dropping by our office at 148 East College Avenue or by visiting http://www.visithollysprings.com/.

VisitHollySprings.com Has a New Look!

The Holly Springs Tourism and Recreation Bureau is proud to announce the launching of an all new site at http://www.visithollysprings.com/!

The site was built with visitors in mind and is arraigned by interests. The site also features downloadable brochures and will soon give access to a free audio tour. Visitors to the site can also sign up to receive Holly Springs’ newsletters and access Holly Springs on social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

“We are so excited about the new site which has already proved to be much more functional and easy to maneuver,” reports Stephanie McKinney, Executive Director of the Tourism Bureau. “We worked with Dream Design Studios for the last three months developing the site and couldn’t be happier with the work they’ve done. They were so easy to work with and we are looking forward to having them develop printed pieces such as brochures for us as well.”

The new site also features band new, exquisite photography to portray Holly Springs as the rare jewel it truly is. Many thanks to BluOrchid Photography (www.bluorchidphoto.com), Jerry Plunk Photography (http://jerryplunk.com/) and Scott Rorie for supplying such beautiful images.

To view more details about places you can visit to enjoy the history and heritage of Holly Springs, contact the Holly Springs Tourism and Recreation Bureau by calling 662-252-2515, dropping by our office at 148 East College Avenue or by visiting us online at http://www.visithollysprings.com/.

Celebrate True Southern Culture in Holly Springs!

Southern literature was born in Mississippi. The state’s literary greats have distinguished themselves the world over with a special talent for capturing the true south and the heart of America in their works. As a creative bedrock, Mississippi has also produced artists in every genre from painting and sculpture to stage and film. Nowhere is that more evident than in Holly Springs.

With so many talented artists, craftsmen, writers and more, Holly Springs offers a variety of attractions and events that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the area such as the Pilgrimage of Homes every April. Our very own festival of art and architecture will be brimming with the stories of a bygone era while arts and crafts fill the downtown square.

The Native Plant Sale held at Audubon held every May offers a very different glimpse into the past by offering to the public native plants cultivated on the property, teaching us the importance of native planting. Visitors can also get a glimpse of a few of the nature craft vendors that are available at the Hummingbird Migration Celebration held September 9th- 11th this year.

Holly Springs is also home to famed writers such as Katherine Sherwood Bonner who coined the southern dialect of the area as well as William Merritt Chase’s protégé Kate Freeman Clark who left us a wonderful museum filled with her beautiful works of art.

Currently we have accomplished painters, potters and more who display their work at area businesses for those who wish to take home a true piece of Holly Springs. One such artist is Sherry Marshall with Marshall Pottery. At her home studio she creates one-of-a-kind pieces as well as glass painting and jewelry.

We also have Terry & Diane Gill next door in Red Banks who have been creating in clay for over 25 years. They’re “Loving” Cups and “Thank You” Bowls have become a southern favorite and are a wonderful gift for anyone.

Like other Mississippi communities, Holly Springs has an array creative spirits that can offer you their interpretation of the life in the most Southern of states and help you have an authentic Mississippi experience. Come and explore the very heart of the true south right here, right now.

For more information about things to do feel free to contact the Holly Springs Tourism and Recreation Bureau by calling 662-252-2515, dropping by our office at 148 East College Avenue or by visiting http://www.visithollysprings.com/.

Explore the True South's History and Heritage in Holly Springs

Holly Springs invites visitors to experience Mississippi’s rich history and cultural heritage and to find their true south. Whether you are interested in Civil War history, the Civil Rights Movement or Native American culture, Mississippi is full of authentic sights, sounds and attractions for you to experience firsthand. It’s true: Mississippi is home to some of our nation’s most important history and heritage.

Mississippi’s museums, historical homes, Civil War sites and Civil Rights landmarks are located throughout the state. From the Vicksburg National Military Park and the Corinth Interpretive Center near Shiloh National Military Park to the home of Medgar Evers and Freedom Corner in Jackson, plan a trip to Mississippi in February to experience it for yourself.

The year 2011 marks the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, and Mississippi is home to many of the Civil War Sesquicentennial activities and events being planned for 2011-2015. The Civil War Preservation Trust lists 39 Mississippi sites on its Civil War Discovery Trail. The recently launched http://www.mscivilwar150.com/ is an excellent resource for up-to-the-minutes details about Civil War-related activities happening around the state.

Mississippi Civil Rights leaders were central to that movement, and you can learn more about how they helped shape our future while you are here. This year also marks the

50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders and Freedom Summer 1961, a pivotal part of the Civil Rights Movement.

Following are just a few local attractions that will help you savor the region’s rich heritage and point you in the direction of discovery:

- Hill Crest Cemetery- where many soldiers and generals of the Civil War were laid to rest.

- Marshall County Historical Museum- which houses one of the largest collections of Civil War memorabilia in the state as well as artifacts of the Chickasaw Indians who once inhabited this area.

- Rust College- a historically African American college who played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement.

- Ida B. Wells- Barnett Museum- honoring the journalist, women’s rights and anti-lynching activist.

Holly Springs has its own story to tell about the people, places and events that helped shape the history of Mississippi. What better way to find your true south than to take a trip to Holly Springs!

To view more details about places you can visit to enjoy the history and heritage of Holly Springs, contact the Holly Springs Tourism and Recreation Bureau by calling 662-252-2515, dropping by our office at 148 East College Avenue or by visiting http://www.visithollysprings.com/.