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Blues, southern rock, and country musician Paul Thorn will headline the music lineup at this year's Great Delta Bear Affair. Paul Thorn has created an innovative and impressive career, pleasing crowds with his muscular brand of roots music – bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern American, yet also speaking universal truths.  Among those who value originality, inspiration, eccentricity and character – as well as talent that hovers somewhere on the outskirts of genius, the story of … [Read more...] about Paul Thorn to Headline the 2019 Great Delta Bear Affair

The fourth Saturday in October is always a celebration in Rolling Fork, and this October is no exception as the good people of Sharkey County celebrate Teddy Bear Day in Mississippi, as it was proclaimed by Governor Phil Bryant for 2018. This year the festival pays tribute to Holt Collier, the noted African-American Confederate scout, bear hunter and sportsman who, while leading a hunt in 1902 for President Theodore Roosevelt in Sharkey County, unwittingly set the stage for the event that … [Read more...] about The 2018 Great Delta Bear Affair – Fun for the Whole Family

In honor of the historic black bear hunt by President Theodore Roosevelt, the teddy bear, and The Great Delta Bear Affair, Governor Phil Bryant has proclaimed October 27, 2018 as Teddy Bear Day in Mississippi! ---------------- WHEREAS, in 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt went to the Mississippi Delta to hunt black bear, but he refused to shoot a tethered bear; and WHEREAS, a political cartoon memorialized this incident for posterity; and WHEREAS, the owner of a New York City toy … [Read more...] about Governor Bryant Proclaims Teddy Bear Day in Mississippi

In honor of Holt Collier and his hunting dogs, this year’s Great Delta Bear Affair will feature “Holt’s Hound Dog Hoopla”, a dog show for any and all breeds of dogs. This fun event will take place at the Main Stage at 9:30 a.m. on festival day, October 27. The Incredible Holt is the theme of the 2018 Great Delta Bear Affair. Holt Collier was President Roosevelt’s hunting guide on that famous 1902 black bear hunt in southern Sharkey County. Holt Collier was an incredible hunter. He had been … [Read more...] about Holt’s Hound Dog Hoopla!

Imagine taking a 12-foot cypress stump and using a chainsaw to create an incredible piece of art. The chainsaw artistry of Dayton Scoggins and his business, Artistry in Wood is visible throughout the city of Rolling Fork as evidence of past Great Delta Bear Affair festivals, and each year a new bear sculpture is added to the count. Dayton Scoggins - Chainsaw Carver Scoggins, a widely respected chainsaw artist from Sandersville, Mississippi, has earned several national and international titles … [Read more...] about Great Delta Bear Affair Contributes Public Art to Rolling Fork

Born a slave in 1846, Holt Collier lived a most extraordinary life for all of his 90 years. In fact, his story is so interesting that while researching the origin of the Teddy Bear, following an innocent question from his daughter, author Minor Buchanon decided that Collier’s life needed to be documented and that’s just what he did in the biography: Holt Collier: His Life, His Roosevelt Hunts, and the Origin of the Teddy Bear. This well researched book documents all of the ins and outs of his … [Read more...] about The Incredible Holt Collier