Spring has sprung in Newton County, meaning that the time is near to enjoy a day of shopping, great food, and family fun at the 23rd Annual Loose Caboose Festival in Downtown Newton.
Hosted by the Newton Chamber of Commerce, this year’s festival is set for Saturday, April 11, and as is the case in year’s past, there will be plenty of fun and entertainment to be had by all. From carnival rides to a variety of local and national talent, there will be no shortage of fun at the 2026 Loose Caboose Festival.
Many festival favorites will be making a return in 2026, including the MS Delta Shows Carnival, BankPlus 5K Run, Biewer Sawmills Motorcycle Show, BankFirst Car Show, and the Weir ESCO Dinosaur Experience in the Kidz Zone.
Adding a fresh twist this year, the event features an MC/DJ combo instead of a traditional emcee. DJ Jigga Man JT, known for his charismatic and wild energy from last year's performance in the Kidz Zone, will keep the downtown crowd engaged. He'll fill transitions between the lineup of live entertainment by playing music, interacting with attendees, and maintaining the lively atmosphere. A separate DJ will spin 80’s music at the car show area, building on last year's popular addition.
Another first for this year’s festival is the opening of the caboose next to the depot, which will allow kids to go in for a tour.
Newton Chamber of Commerce Director Ashley Massey said that a lot of new vendors have signed up thus far for this year’s festival, numbering close to 100 to date.
“We have a lot of new vendors that will be with us this year with a wide range of offerings,” said Massey. “We have a guy that will be selling fish lures, we have someone that will have a lip gloss bar where you can create your own gloss. There will be something for everyone at this year’s festival.”
Headlining entertainer for the 2026 Loose Caboose Festival is musician, singer, and songwriter Scott McQuaig and his band, The Tomcats, who will perform at Ray Payne Park from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. McQuaig and The Tomcats have been performing together for more than a decade. Earlier in his career, McQuaig signed as a country artist with MCA Records, and later Capitol Records Nashville. And although he fits more into traditional country and Americana genres, his sets include many different genres of music, from covers of Merle Haggard, George Strait, Sonny Landreth, and Muddy Waters, to some of his original music.
Local entertainers set to perform during the day are the Newton County High School Harmonites, the Newton High School Drumline, Kristie Harris, the Larry Blackburn Band, Grayson Culpepper, and Kari Rose Collins.
As she works to put the finishing touches on this year’s festival, Massey said that she couldn’t do this without help of many in the community.
“We want to thank the city officials and city workers—it takes a lot of help to put on a festival this large. And they are so helpful. And the Newton Police Department and Fire Department for helping plan everything out and being on the scene to help everything run smoothly. And the Chamber board and the many volunteers, which a lot are local students from Newton High School and Newton County High School, who come to do service hours as they volunteer throughout the day,” said Massey. “We’ also appreciative of our sponsors, and CMRC, who are so helpful to supply the stage and other stuff for our entertainment area.”
With merely weeks before the fun begins, Massey invites everyone to come spend a fun weekend in Downtown Newton.
“We want to invite families to come to a family friendly environment at the 23rd celebration of the Loose Caboose Arts and Crafts Festival, said Massey. “I'm praying for wonderful weather, and I know it's going to be a day that everyone can enjoy.”
2026 MS Delta Shows Carnival
The carnival will take place Friday night, April 10, and Saturday, April 11. According to Massey, students at all the local schools will receive a discount code on the week of the festival.
Weir ESCO Dinosaur Experience
This kids favorite will be found in the Loose Caboose Kidz Zone, with performance times set for 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., and 2:15 p.m.
2026 BankPlus 5K Run
Runners can register right now at time2run.net. You can also register that day, April 11, from 7-8 a.m., while the 5K Run start time is set for 8:30 a.m. T-shirts will be provided to the first 30 pre-registered participants. For more information, contact Ashley Massey at 601-683-2201.
2026 Biewer Sawmills Motorcycle Show
The motorcycle show is open to an assortment of entry classes: custom, cruiser, vintage, bagger, and sports. Entry fee is $20. Trophies will be awarded to all classes, plus Best of Show. There will also be door prizes all day long, and a Parade of Bikes. For more info, call 601-683-2201.
2026 BankFirst Car Show
Registration for the 2026 edition of the BankFirst Car Show begins at 8 a.m. on the morning of April11, in the BankFirst parking lot located at 114 East Church Street in Newton. It’s open to cars, trucks, racing vehicles, and classic cars. There is a $25 entry fee. Best in Show will be awarded, and there will be door prizes given all day.
