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Although the Great Delta Bear Affair committee decided that they were unable to host a festival during October, due to the lack of infrastructure in downtown Rolling Fork since the tornado, several outreach events were held at other venues. Traditionally several events are held during the month including an elementary Story Walk, 4th grade Youth Education Day, delivering teddy bears to the Children's Hospital in Jackson, and the Bear Bash. Over 100 teddy bears were delivered to Children's … [Read more...] about Bear Month 2024 was a success

Great Delta Bear Affair 2024 will not take place, at least the festival portion will not. Committee members plan to host several outreach events but not the festival itself, due to the condition of Rolling Fork's downtown area. The downtown suffered significant damage during the March 23 tornado and while committee members worked extremely hard to make the 2023 festival happen, they say they need support from the city as further deterioration and no positive movement has been made by the … [Read more...] about Festival on hold for 2024

Even though the courthouse square will be fenced off, temporary county and city offices will take up a lot of the former vendor space, and most of downtown has been demolished—the show will go on. “Rolling Fork needs a festival,” said Bear Affair Co-Chair and Lower Delta Partnership Director Meg Cooper. “We need something positive to look forward to. We need something to celebrate. So, we decided to move ahead with the Great Delta Bear Affair.” The theme is fitting: “Bearly Here but … [Read more...] about Bearly Here but Building Back

The Chuckburger Eating Contest will celebrate its fourth year at the Great Delta Bear Affair on October 22. This signature sandwich from local eatery Chuck’s Dairy Bar is a hamburger dressed with chili, slaw and pickles. The contest is sponsored by Chuck’s Dairy Bar and will take place on the Main Stage at 11:30 a.m. The contest draws an enormous crowd to witness who can eat the most burgers in only 5 minutes! The winner will receive $100 and a one of a kind trophy. Registration is on site … [Read more...] about Chuckburger Eating Contest

Archaeologist Sam Brookes is no stranger to Rolling Fork and the South Delta. As a member of the Great Delta Bear Affair planning committee, he has been conducting prehistoric mound tours during the festival for the past 17 years. Brookes with his extensive knowledge and passion has led many tours through the area for interested parties. He has participated in archaeological fieldwork on several sites and has authored over 30 articles on Mississippi Archaeology. On October 26, during the … [Read more...] about Prehistoric Mound Tours during the Great Delta Bear Affair

Great Delta Bear Affair 2019 will give back to the Sharkey-Issaquena community by pledging all donations collected at the entrances to the festival area to help those affected by this year’s months-long flood. With hundreds of homes affected by the Yazoo backwater flood, a long-term recovery fund has been established through the Community Foundation for Washington County. Any money donated to this fund will go to help people in Sharkey, Issaquena and Humphreys counties who are uninsured, … [Read more...] about Bear Affair Pledges Money to Flood Recovery