Laurel, Miss. (Sept. 5, 2025) – Laurel and Jones County will mark the fall season with a series of annual events highlighting the area’s culture, heritage, and community spirit. From downtown festivals to historic homestead gatherings, Mississippi’s Pine Belt will host several major events throughout October.
The season begins with the Cannon Motors Loblolly Festival on Saturday, Oct. 4, in downtown Laurel. Named after the loblolly pine, a native to the region, the festival features local artisans, handcrafted goods, live music, and a dedicated children’s area. The event draws thousands of attendees each year and is recognized as one of the community’s signature fan traditions.
The South Mississippi Fair will follow Oct. 17–25 at the Fairgrounds and Magnolia Center in Laurel. A tradition spanning more than a century, the fair features carnival rides, midway games, livestock shows, rodeo events, and a comprehensive schedule of live entertainment.
This year’s highlights include the Steamers Thrill Show with aerial acrobatics and performing dogs, the Agri-Puppets educational program, the Stone Age Show with lifelike dinosaurs, and other exciting performances from Washboard Willy and the Moogician. On the Midway Stage, music fills the air with performances from favorites like Madewood Street, Rhinestone Revival, Bogue Chitto, and many more acts representing a variety of musical genres. With classic carnival rides, food favorites from corndogs to funnel cakes, and nine nights of family fun, the South Mississippi Fair continues its legacy as a can’t-miss fall tradition in Laurel and Jones County.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, the community will host two signature events. Landrum’s Homestead & Village will present its annual Old Tyme Fall Festival, featuring demonstrations of blacksmithing and woodcarving, live dulcimer music, wagon rides, and children’s activities. Visitors can also enjoy homemade ice cream and seasonal treats in a historic setting. That evening, Laurel Main Street will host Wine Down Downtown, an event where guests can sample wines while exploring participating shops and galleries. Together, the two events offer both a family-friendly day and a cultural evening in the heart of Laurel.
In addition to community festivals, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art will present its fall exhibition, Picturing America’s Pastime: Snapshots from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Collection, on view from August 26 through November 16, 2025.
Organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the exhibition explores the enduring connection between baseball and photography. Featuring a selection from the Hall of Fame’s extensive archive of more than 350,000 images, the exhibition illustrates how the sport and the art form grew together from the mid-19th century to the present day. Visitors will experience rare and iconic photographs that capture the spirit, history, and cultural impact of America’s national pastime.
Together, these fall events highlight authentic experiences and what makes Laurel and Jones County a special place to visit in the fall.
For more information on events, read our blog, and for help with travel planning, visit our website.
