Over its 21 years, the Great Delta Bear Affair has grown and improved, but its founding purpose has remained the same. The mission of the Great Delta Bear Affair is to bring attention to black bears and their native habitat and territory in Mississippi’s South Delta, to celebrate Teddy Roosevelt’s famous 1902 black bear hunt in Sharkey County, to promote the Rolling Fork/Sharkey County community and its diverse array of resources, history, and heritage, and to celebrate it all with a great family-friendly festival.
With all that in mind, we host a terrific multifaceted festival that includes a chainsaw woodcarver creating another bear sculpture for the community, prehistoric mound tours, art opportunities for children, a seminar on Mississippi Snakes, food and arts and crafts vendors and of course fantastic live music. This year is no exception.
Live music will kick off on the Main Stage with our favorite Elvis Presley – Tim Johnson! Tim will be followed by a fun couple that are The Crescent Circus. The Crescent Circus incorporates magic, humor and circus acts in their show that is sure to amaze and entertain. An homage to Rolling Fork’s favorite eatery, Chuck’s Dairy Bar, will kick off at 11:30 with the now famous, Chuckburger Eating Contest. Sign up early if you want to win the unique trophy and $100, awarded to the winner each year. Two country music up and comers will follow the eating contest, Kaitlin Butts at 12:15, followed by a young man with ties to Sharkey County, Walker Wilson. Walker’s parents both grew up in Anguilla. Keith Johnson, the Prince of the Delta Blues, and his Big Muddy Band will be on stage next playing some Delta Blues. As the great nephew of Muddy Waters, Keith inherited his talent and love of the blues. A group of college friends and Mississippi musicians will follow Keith, Four Way Stop. Four Way Stop recently took top honors for Best Rock Duo/Group Song of the Year at the 2022 Josie Music Awards in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for their song “Wicked Woman.” And to close the day out, 4 guys from Alabama, now living and singing in Nashville, make up the final group to grace the Main Stage for the night -Them Dirty Roses. It’s going to be a great day of music in downtown Rolling Fork and we can Bearly wait!
In addition to the Main Stage music and fun, there will be a 5K run/walk, a Strut your Mutt event, Terry Vandeventer’s Mississippi snake show, a Kids Zone with art and games, vendors, and of course fireworks! Make plans to join us on October 22 in Rolling Fork.
