Stray At Home is a free, family-friendly festival, which will in Smith Park again, on Saturday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"It's always the day before Mother's Day. You can get lost in downtown Jackson, enjoying the creativity and music,"
Primos says.
In addition to a juried art show, the festival will have music all day, food trucks, kids crafts in the morning, regular and adult beverages, and a cornhole tournament at 2:30 p.m.
"The winner gets a trophy and bragging rights for a year," Primos says.
Cornhole costumes are "encouraged" and might even help your game, she adds.
Mississippi-based artisans and makers sell their art at the festival, and Primos hopes it inspires other artists.
"I want them to say, 'I can do this,' then stay and create here in Jackson," she says.
Each year, proceeds from the festival and cornhole tournament benefit a charity. This year's charity is the JXN Trailblazers to benefit the Museum Trail, also known as the Museum to Market Trail.
The JXN Trailblazers formed to support the Museum Trail, which will run from the Mississippi Farmers Market down Museum Drive and all the way to Lakeland.
Groundbreaking on the trail is expected to happen this year, but even when the trail is built, it won't have amenities, so the group is raising money.
"The money that paid for the trail is a mix of federal funds and local matches. But it only pays for the bare bones of the trail," says Melody Moody, a member of the JXN Trailblazers. "When people come from all over to ride, walk and run the trail, they're going to want amenities like benches and lighting and water fountains."
Moody says the money will also go toward the trail's long-term sustainability.
Primos also hopes Stray At Home will encourage people to explore the capital city more, and maybe even take home a souvenir, like a piece of artwork.
"If you were inspired by a piece of art and bring it into your home, you'll walk past it and remember the experience or part of the story, and get lost for a moment in the beauty of that creation," she says.
Most artwork costs between $20 and $150, with some pieces going for more. Organizers are encouraging people to ride their bikes to the festival, but downtown Jackson also has parking available.
<em>For more information, visit strayathome.com and jxntrailblazers.com</em>