By Christian Coffman

VIDALIA — Seven months after the annual Jim Bowie Festival was canceled, the popular event is back.

The festival returns April 29-30 at the Concordia Recreation District No. 3 complex near Vidalia City Hall. The event will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., April 29 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 30.

The Vidalia Women’s Club is sponsoring and overseeing the event alongside the Jim Bowie Festival Committee.

Women’s club member Tuttie Melton said the Concordia Chamber of Commerce wanted the club to help with the festival, but the group of women eventually decided to take it on themselves.

“I’m looking forward to the community coming and enjoying an outing that brings friends and family together,” Melton said.

Melton said she hopes the festival will serve as a good community outreach for children and adults.

Attractions at the Jim Bowie Festival will include a kickball tournament, blow-up obstacle courses and bounce castles, a photo booth and a dunking booth.

Saturday’s festival lineup will feature live entertainment from local bands. The line-up includes Brandon McCraney, Y. Z. Ealey, Johnathan Borum, Cha Cha Boo and Backroad Band. Saturday night’s headliner will be SmackWaterBand.

Sunday’s musical lineup includes gospel choirs from surrounding churches.

“I am really working hard for it to be big,” Melton said. “I want it to be fun for the kids. I’m in the process of asking the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to be there so the community can interact with them.”

Food will include barbecue, ribs, pulled pork, sausage, shrimp and grits and crawfish with potatoes and corn. Pork loin and Italian-style shish kabobs will also be available.

Melton said the Bowie festival beauty pageant and barbecue contest will not be in this year’s festival and the D.A.R.E. fishing tournament will be featured next year.

The entry fee is $5 for ages 12 and up. Ages 11 and under are free.

Melton said the Jim Bowie Festival, though it may end up being smaller this year, will still focus on providing a good time to all.

“It’s been going on for many years and this is the first year we’ve been primarily involved with it, having only helped in prior years,” Melton said.

Vendors interested in setting up their food or wares at the Jim Bowie Festival may contact Melton at 601-334-5600 or by email at tuttie@cableone.net.