The long-awaited return of Union Country Day has finally arrived! The festivities got underway Tuesday night with the Country Boys and Gals Pageant. The pageant saw over 40 contestants, dressed in their best country attire, vying for Country Day’s top Country Boys and Country Girls.
With two more days of events and activities this week, Union Chamber of Commerce Director Jenna Jones said that the initiative for the Chamber is to celebrate with the citizens of Union in the tradition of Country Day while also drawing in the younger generation to lead it into the future. “Our goal for this Country Day is to begin to recover what’s been lost in commerce and community fellowship in Union over the last couple of decades,” said Jones. “We want to honor the generations who have gone before us and bring in the younger generations to be part of the success and prosperity of this city.”
On Thursday, local talent will showcase their skills at the Country Day Talent Show, followed by a full day of fun at Union Country Day on Saturday. Closing out Country Day 2023, there will be a free concert featuring Daniel Houze that evening.
“We are so fortunate to have such a large number of generous sponsors, who were a huge help in providing the free concert on Saturday evening,” said Jones. “We’re thankful for them and we’re excited for this week! I hope everyone will come out and support Country Day and enjoy downtown Union.”
Country Day Talent Show-6:30 p.m. Thursday
Local talent will be on display on Thursday when the Country Day Talent Show takes place at the Union Downtown Mini Park. There are currently 15 contestants signed up for the talent show, but we’re told there’s still time for more talent to register.
The talent show is open to ages and talent, but please keep the talent family appropriate. There will be three divisions: Up to 12 years Old, 13-18 Years Old, and 19 Years and Up.
The entry fee is $20. There will be three awards in each division: 1st Place get $100, 2nd Place gets $50, and 3rd Place will receive $25.
Entry forms can be found on the Union Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. Return entry forms to Astoria Gifts, Toads & Tutus or Call 601-741-2864 for more information.
Union Country Day-8:30 a.m. -4 p.m. Saturday
At press, there have been 80 vendor spots filled, with some vendors purchasing more than one spot. There will also be a number of food vendors set up and political booths.
Throughout the day, there will be a mixture of live entertainment and political speakers, made up of local politicians, singing groups and individual performers. Included will be the introduction of the winners of the Country Boy and Country Girl Pageant and the winners of the Country Day Talent Show will get an opportunity to perform.
And for the kiddos, there will be a Kids’ Zone, complete with two inflatable slides, an inflated obstacle course, and a bounce house. All Day armbands can be purchases for $10.
Jones also said that a dunking booth will be making its return to Country Day. “I always remember there being a dunking booth at Country Day,” said Jones. “So, we’ll have a dunking booth on Bank Street.”
Country Day 5K
Starting the Country Day festivities on the morning of Saturday, August 26 will be the Country Day 5K Run and Walk. Registration will take place from 6-7 a.m., while the race begins at 7:30 a.m. The early bird registration fee before July 1st for both the Run/Walk are $20. Afterwards, the fee will be $25.
The race location will be at Sessums Park at 112 Park Street, and the race will be timed by Time2Run.
5K Run awards to be handed out will include Best Overall, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards for male and females in the following age groups: 0-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and Over.
Awards will be handed out to the top 3 overall males and females in the 5K Walk.
To register or for more information, contact the Union Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer McElhenney at 601-416-3438, or Tesa Quinn at 601-616-4212. Online registration is available at time2run.net.
County Day Car Show
The Country Day Car Show will take place at the RV Park behind the City Park/Sessums Field on Saturday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Judging will begin at 1 p.m. There will be four classes of vehicles: Antique Cars, Pickups, Motorcycles, and Tractors. They will hand out a Best of Show Trophy, 10 trophies for the cars, and five trophies for each category of pickups, motorcycles, and tractors.
Entry fee for the car show is $20. All car show entries must enter the RV Park via the driveway at Sessums Field. If you are interested in entering, contact Steve Milling or email the Union Chamber of Commerce at unionchamberofcommerce@gmail.com.
Evening Concert
Rounding out Country Day 2023, Daniel Houze will be the headline entertainment for Saturday evening. Houze is a country music artist from Meridian who has become a popular draw in the area, including recently playing at the Jimmy Rodgers Festival in May.
Kicking off the entertainment for the evening will be local artists Bryce Richardson and Jax Moore, who will both have their turn as opening acts.
The evening concert will begin at 6 p.m. at the Union Downtown Mini Park. It’s a free event for the whole family and you are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Union Country Day 2023 Itinerary
8:30 - Opening of Country Day
Vendors open for business.
Raising of American flag by Union Boy Scouts
National Anthem performed by Clint Walker Prayer by Thomas Fortenberry
Welcome by Union mayor Brad Capps
Introducing Kimber Traxler, the 2023 Mississippi tiny Miss International girl.
8:45 - Union High School band/drum line
9 a.m. - Country boy/girl introduced.
Country Day Talent Show winners perform.
9:30 - Kristie Harris
10 a.m. - Political Speakers
10:30 - Joyful Heirs
11 a.m. - Aleia Sharp Scott
11:25 - Taylor Harrison and friends
11:55 - Deandre McDonald
12:20 p.m. - Political speakers
12:45 - Barry Roebuck and friends
1:15 - Josh Storey
1:40 - Dickerson family
2:40 - Brad Capps and friends
