MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – The Friends-Giving Festival and Chili Cookoff is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, offering a day of community celebration and inclusivity aimed at families of all abilities. This two-part festival will feature a Harvest Fest and a Chili Cookoff, with proceeds supporting EmpowerKids Foundation and The SPOT.
The Harvest Fest will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lawn of the Meridian Arts and Entertainment Experience (The MAX). This free, family-friendly, and sensory-friendly event will kick off with an adaptive Color Walk, featuring two start times: the first for younger participants at 9 a.m. and the second for teens and adults at 9:30 a.m. EmpowerKids has coordinated with a physical mobility company to provide adaptive equipment for participants.
In addition to the Color Walk, attendees can enjoy food trucks, resource vendors, a bounce house, lawn games, crafts, and sensory-friendly live music.
The Chili Cookoff will follow at Singing Brakeman Park from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets for this portion of the event will be available online and at the gate on the day of the event. Competing teams will vie for cash prizes and a People’s Choice award. Live entertainment will feature performances from Daniel House and other artists.
All proceeds from the Friends-Giving Festival will benefit the initiatives of EmpowerKids and The SPOT, distributed through the Community Foundation East Mississippi.
Stay tuned for details on how to register for the Color Walk and enter teams in the Chili Cookoff. This event promises to be a highlight in the community calendar, celebrating inclusivity and support for local organizations.
