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EXPERIENCE THIS
GREETINGS FROM Oxford,Mississippi
THE CHARMING SMALL TOWN WITH BIG-CITY APPEAL
SPRINGTIME IN OXFORD IS THE REWARD FOR GETTING THROUGH THE COLD WINTER MONTHS. AS THE DAYS GET LONGER, THE TOWN BUSTLES WITH MORE ACTIVITIES TO FILL THE DAYS. VISITORS WHO ENJOY A WEEKEND IN OXFORD QUICKLY SEE WHY IT WAS VOTED
America's Best College Town
BY ESPN.
TEXT & PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT OXFORD
with two James Beard award-winning chefs, Oxford welcomes foodies as spring paves the way for outdoor dining and patio/balcony sitting. The downtown square boasts over 10 patios and balconies that are perfect for an afternoon cocktail with a side of sunset. With the expansion of sidewalks on Jackson Avenue East, comfortable outdoor dining is a reality, and spring is the best time to take advantage of this new amenity to the downtown area. Saint Leo, a 2017 James Beard nominee, is perfect for an al fresco Italian meal on its newly expanded outdoor seating.
A newcomer to the Square, Yūgō is an Asian fusion restaurant with chef Cameron Bryant at the helm. The menu reflects influences from all over Asia including Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines in the form of dim sum, as well as signature entrees such as Szechuan spiced steak or shrimp pad Thai. While the dining room creates an ethereal atmosphere, Yūgō also offers guests an option to dine on the patio year-round.
Ole Miss sports fans will have plenty of opportunities to catch the Rebels in action this spring as the softball and baseball seasons will be in full swing. There’s no atmosphere quite like that at Swayze Field when the Rebels take the diamond. Once a player hits a home run, there’s a 100 percent chance of beer showers expected in right field. Football fans missing the gridiron action can mark their calendars for the Grove Bowl Spring Game, scheduled for April 23 in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
As spring fever hits, more and more people find their way outdoors and there’s plenty of wide open space in Oxford. The South Campus Rail Trail offers a clearly marked path through a canopy of trees in an old railroad bed. For a shorter wooded path, the Bailey Woods Trail is an excellent choice. The one-mile hike connects the University of Mississippi Museum with the grounds of Rowan Oak, home of Nobel Prize-winning author, William Faulkner. Finally, for a less wooded option, Pat Lamar Park boasts a paved walking path, Lake Patsy and rotating pieces of the Yokna Sculpture Trail.
music fans love Oxford; this spring holds many opportunities to hear live music. The 25th anniversary of the Double Decker Arts Festival will celebrate food, music and the arts with its much-anticipated return Apr. 22-23. The festival takes over the historic downtown square for two days with live music and art vendors.
Entertainment starts on Friday night and is slated to be bigger than ever before. The lineup opens with The Wilkins Sisters who mix gospel, blues and R&B to make music that is moving, soulful and uplifting. Up next, Americana alt-country band 49 Winchester takes the stage. The Friday night headliner is country crooner, and former Ole Miss baseball pitcher, Brett Young who has received nominations from Teen Choice, ACM, Billboard, CMT and CMA Awards. After racking seven consecutive No. 1 hits, Rolling Stone deemed Young “one of country’s most consistent radio stars.”
On Saturday, over 140 artists will set up around the square while local food vendors tempt visitors with delectable aromas from their booths. The music on Saturday starts at 11 a.m. with Happy Landing, an alternative folk band from Oxford, followed by blues artist Buffalo Nichols. Country singersongwriter Maggie Rose will take the stage next, followed by Samantha Fish, a singersongwriter and guitarist who blends blues, rock, country, funk, bluegrass and ballads.
Going into the night portion of acts, legendary R&B and gospel singer Mavis Staples will perform. Staples is both a Blues and a Rock and Rock Hall of Famer as well as a Grammy award winner. New Orleans jazz and funk sensation, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue take the stage next to fill the air with sounds from brass band blare and deep-groove funk to bluesy beauty and hip hop/pop swagger. The final performance will be by Billboard award-nominated rock band the Revivalists. Renowned for their powerful live performances, soulful alt-rock anthems and distinct mix of many of the classic styles of American music, the eight-piece ensemble is led by the incredible voice of front man David Shaw.
For more information on the Double
Decker Festival and other springtime events, or to plan a trip to Oxford, go to VisitOxfordMS.com.
