The annual Mississippi Spring Fest and Fair is set to return next month.

The fair, hosted by the Lincoln Civic Center, will be held from May 6 to 10 on the center’s grounds.

The five-night event will feature a variety of rides, such as the world’s largest traveling Ferris wheel, fair foods and games provided by North American Midways Enterprises, which puts on the State Fair in Jackson each summer.

The Spring Fest and Fair, sponsored by Bank of Brookhaven and Toyota of Brookhaven, is considered a “free fair,” meaning anyone can park and walk around the fair to see the sights, with events and activities being paid for separately. There are no gate fees, and free parking is provided by Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

A local food alley will be set up for the entirety of the event, and new this year will be boiled crawfish from K&B Seafood, chicken-on-a-stick provided by the Boy Scouts and homemade baked goods. There are still booths available for interested vendors.

The concerts and performances are new to the fest and fair this year, and the event includes Smokey the Bear, Bully the Mississippi State Bulldog, Jeff Bates, Christian rapper K-Zoe, Jeff Nunnery and the wrestler Ted DiBiase, the “Million Dollar Man.”

Quinn Jordan, Lincoln Civic Center director, said with the diverse activities, there is something for everyone.

“It’s just five days of family fun,” he said. “It really is.”

Also new to the spring fest this year is the auto and motorcycle show, the full rodeo and the art showcase. Jordan said for the showcase, they are bringing in school-age artists in Lincoln County, and they are displaying the district and above winners by school. MSA, the public and private schools in the city and county, and Co-Lin will display their winning artwork inside the multipurpose building throughout the event.

“We just encourage people to come out and take advantage of it; this is an investment in our community,” he said. “And we need our community to come out and support this because without community support these types of events wouldn’t grow or continue.”

To see a full list of sponsors and activities, visit the Lincoln Civic Center website or Facebook page. For entry to any of the contests, to volunteer or for more information contact Quinn Jordan at the civic center at 601-823-9064.

Wednesday, May 6 – Youth night

4:30 to 10 p.m. $15 armband. Live entertainment at 6:30 p.m. Free youth program. $5 Wrestling show starts at 8 p.m.

Thursday, May 7 – Political night

4:30 to 10 p.m. $20 armbands. Local and state officials speaking.

Friday, May 8 – Tri-State Rodeo

4:30 to 11 p.m. $20 armbands. Rodeo starts at 7 p.m. and costs $15. Jeff Bates concert at 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 – “Day at the Farm

1 to 10:30 p.m. $25 armbands. Rodeo starts at 7 p.m. and costs $15. Jeff Nunnery concert begins at 9 p.m. Day at the Farm from 1 to 4 p.m. Mid-South Fair Talent Contest from 1 to 5 p.m. Miss SpringFest & Fair Beauty Pageant from 3 to 6 p.m.

Sunday, May 10 – Car and Motorcycle Show

1 to 8 p.m. $15 armbands.