2019 Hubfest
This weekend, downtown Hattiesburg was packed with more than 25,000 people for the 2019 Hubfest. Hubfest is one of Hattiesburg’s largest annual festivals held in the Historic Downtown Hattiesburg.
The festival featured over 200 food, crafts, and business vendors. Live music played from four main stages located throughout the event. Inflatable jump houses and other rides were available in a large play arena for children and parents.
Area Development Partnership (ADP) hosts this annual event. Todd Jackson, ADP Executive Vice President of Economic Development, says Hubfest is meant to be a family-fun celebration for the Hattiesburg community and surrounding areas. Jackson says, “(Hubfest) is meant to highlight all of the assets we have in downtown Hattiesburg.” Hubfest also brings in revenue for community projects. “The Area Development Partnership puts on this event and we do of course utilize some of the funds that we make for this to support all of the things going on throughout the entire community”, says Jackson.
Not only was the event family friendly, but it was also beneficial for vendors to showcase and promote their businesses and/or products for purchase. Mickey and Nancy Sellers, business owners of Off the Vine, came from Cleveland, Mississippi to vendor for the first time at Hubfest. Mickey and his wife Nancy have been to other festivals before, so once they heard about Hubfest they jumped at the opportunity.
Mickey Sellers says, “I didn’t really know the downtown area was like this, but it’s been a great experience.” The Sellers allowed people to sample their homemade jams, relishes, and pickles at their booth. Sellers says that all of their products are homegrown and come literally off the vine, hence the business name. They try to use as many of their own vegetables, fruits and other fresh ingredients as much as possible. According to Sellers, customers enjoy the taste of the unique natural flavors. After great success from the event, the couple says they plan to come back next year.
Grassroots Natural Candle Company was another vendor in attendance. This company, located in Columbus, Mississippi, specializes in environmentally friendly candles and products. Jacob Frost, Grassroots sales representative, says events such as Hubfest truly bring the community together.
“If you don’t have community it’s hard to hold events like this. If you don’t have the people you don’t have the event,” Frost stated. The company has participated in Hubfest three years in row. Just as Hubfest gives back to the community, Grassroots shares their profit to help the Columbus community. Frost says, “We make a lot of profit and send it back to the partnership we have with some guys in Columbus. They help back in the community and give some people some jobs that are down on their luck.” The company believes in paying it forward across all communities.
Hubfest does not limit vendors to only business, churched and other organizations are welcome as well. The Whole Armor Church of God in Christ geared their vendor booth toward fundraising for their youth group. Though they aren’t a business, they sold various flavored popcorn bags to raise money. Nicole Banks, Whole Armor Church youth group organizer, says their booth promotes youth to stay active in the community. Though she came to help with her church youth, she says her Hubfest experience extended beyond fundraising.
Banks says, “It’s a way to get familiar with what’s going on around here in the neighborhood. Its some vendors here I’ve never met and was able to network.” Banks says she enjoyed getting to introduce her business as others introduced her to theirs.
Year after year, Hubfest continues to bring in revenue for the Hattiesburg community and local businesses. Tom White, owner of downtown business Front Street Bar, says he looks forward to large crowds Hubfest draws in. Other downtown restaurants, such as, Nostalgia Lounge and bar and Bianchi’s Pizzeria also experienced an increase in business revenue during the festival.
The 2019 Hubfest sponsors included The City of Hattiesburg, Saenger Theater, Coca-Cola and many more. Todd Jackson says the planning of Hubfest 2020 will begin in about two weeks. Though the yearlong process may be extensive, annual Hubfest goers argue it’s worth the wait. For more information on Hubfest or to find out how to become a vendor or sponsor in next year’s 2020 Hubfest, contact the ADP at 601-296-7500 or visit https://www.theadp.com/events/hubfest/.
For more on Hub Fest click here.
