The Double Decker Arts Festival: Putting Oxford on the Map for 25 Years BY BRANDI PERRY
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xford, Mississippi, had a vision 25 years ago inspired by the famous double-decker bus imported to the city in 1994. What began as a small-town event has grown into one of the premier events in all the southeast. What started as a one-day event and an old truck bed serving as the music stage has grown tremendously. Now presented as a two-day event, there is more than enough food, art and music for the more than 60,000 people who soak up everything Oxford can give them. After the 2021 event was canceled due to the Coronavirus, this may be the biggest year ever for the event. The festival kicks off Friday, April 22, with a variety of art demonstrations around the square followed by an evening full of music while Thacker Radio hosts its live broadcast. Saturday will be an all-day event complete with about 100 art vendors and more than 20 local food vendors, all while a variety of touring musicians take the stage and delight the fans throughout the day. Friday night’s music will kick off at 6:15 pm when The Wilkins Sister of Memphis, Tennessee, takes the stage. Known best for their award-winning full-length record You Can’t Hurry God, the sisters will sing a mix of gospel, blues and R&B. At 7:45 pm, Virginia natives 49 Winchester will take the stage with their rock and roll music, blended with the traditions of Appalachia. Owners of three albums and hundreds of live performances, this group will have the Oxford crowd rocking on Friday night. Friday night’s headliner will take the stage at 9 pm, bringing with him a 2018 Country Songwriter Artist of the Year and ACM, Billboard, Teen Choice, CMT and CMA Awards. For country fans, Brett Young is a household name thanks to his songs “Lady,” “In Case You Didn’t Know,” 24 • April/May 2022
“Mercy,” “Like I Loved You,” and many others. Saturday, April 23, is jam-packed with musical acts from all over the country. The festivities kick off that morning at 11 am with local favorites, Happy Landing, an alternative folk band that got its start while the members were attending the University of Mississippi. Through various musical influences (alternative rock, bluegrass, pop-punk), the band is known for its harmonies and instrumental executions. Buffalo Nichols will take the stage at 12:30 pm with his worldwide influence of blues, jazz and folk music. His music is an outlet for self-expression, and attendees will be amazed at his musical emotions and inspired by the renditions of a longgone era of music. At 2 pm, Maggie Rose, with her rock and roll, soul, folk,
