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COLUMBUS – The annual springtime festival is set to return to the historic Courthouse Square next weekend.
The 2023 Magnolia Days Festival presented by Todd and Morgan Barten, kicks off at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 19 and at noon on Saturday, May 20.
Visitors are invited to enjoy two fun-filled days of festival activities, including a Family Fun Zone with activities for both the young and “young at heart” featuring a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, trackless train rides, and carnival games. Festival guests can take a relaxing horse and wagon ride around the neighborhood, prove their salt on the mechanical bull, or take aim at the dunking booth.
A fantastic lineup of free, live concerts will keep everyone dancing in the streets well into the night. The Spazmatics, Southbound 955, and Darrel Appelt Music will kick things off on Friday, May 19, and the Randy Rogers Band, Jon Stork, Midnight River Choir, Hackemack’s Hofbrauhaus Combo, Czech Melody Masters, and The Bandits will keep things grooving on Saturday, May 20. Entertainment is sponsored by Cavender Auto Country.
Along with a great selection of delicious festival food, ice cold beer, and tasty local wines, the Magnolia Days Festival will be home to dozens of vendors offering a variety of arts and crafts, jewelry, candles, clothing, soaps, and other unique wares for sale. In addition to the vendors on the Square, many Downtown Columbus merchants will be open during the festival.
In partnership with the Live Oak Art Center, the Magnolia Days Festival will also host an art contest to celebrate Columbus’ 200th birthday. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners as well as the fan favorite choice. Entry into the art contest is free and more information can be found on the Live Oak Art Center’s website, liveoakartcenter. org.
The Magnolia Days Festival Car Show will be held on Saturday, beginning at noon. Awards in multiple categories will be presented at 3 p.m. Admission to the car show is free and open to the public.
In conjunction with the Columbus Historic Preservation Trust, Magnolia Days will offer shuttle tours or self-guided walking tours of more than a dozen of Columbus’ historic properties. Shuttle tours will begin at the Stafford Opera House and will run from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday. Shuttle tours are $5 per person.
The annual presentation of the Magnolia Belles will take place on Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Stafford Opera House and again at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 on the Courthouse Square. The Belles will visit the historic properties on tour on Saturday from 2-6 p.m. The Magnolia Belles, high school seniors who dress in Victorian-era dresses, have been a beloved tradition in Columbus for 60 years. The Belles are ambassadors of goodwill for both CHPT and the City of Columbus.
The festival is also offering new entertainment this year. Guests will be able to kick off Saturday’s festivities at the inaugural Magnolia Days 5K and Kids’ Mile. Registered participants will receive lots of great goodies, including a free beer from Hound Song Brewery (21+ only). The race is stroller and dog friendly. For registration information, visit bit.ly/magnoliadays5k.
“We are so excited about this year’s Magnolia Days Festival and look forward to welcoming families and music lovers from all over Texas,” said Amber Becerra, Festival chair. “With free admission, live music, family-friendly fun, historic tours, and amazing shopping on the Square, there is something for everyone to enjoy. It’s definitely ‘big time fun in small town Texas’!”
More Magnolia Days Festival information can be found at magnoliadays. org or on Facebook at @ Magnol iaDaysFestival . Contact the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for information on becoming a vendor, sponsor, or volunteer of the event.
