Columbus Pilgrimage Releases Full Schedule

PRESS RELEASE

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Warming temperatures, Spring blossoms and a growing, palpable excitement signal that an annual, highly-anticipated event is just around the corner.

Visitors from around the globe will converge on the Friendly City March 28-April 9, when “The City that Has it All,” hosts the 76th Spring Pilgrimage. This delightfully diverse and deeply satisfying 13-day event celebrates the best in historic Southern architecture, culture, food and fun.

During Pilgrimage, guests have the opportunity to experience all the hospitality that makes Columbus, Miss. a distinctive destination and the Spring Pilgrimage an award-winning event. Widely recognized as one of the best and most authentic home tours in the South with much to offer visitors of all ages and interests, Columbus’ Spring Pilgrimage provides an experience locals and guests alike will long remember.

Tour 15 historic homes and gardens and take horse-drawn carriage rides through the Southside historic district. Board the double-decker bus and see the sights from a new perspective. Race top athletes or best yourself in a half marathon or 5K run. Listen to Tales from the Crypt as personalities interred in historic Friendship Cemetery are portrayed by candlelight. Enjoy world-class blues music with a side of freshly fried catfish or hear the “world’s reigning male chorus,” Grammy® Award-winning Chanticleer, perform.

Tickets for home tours and Pilgrimage information are available from Visit Columbus, 117 Third Street South, or by calling 800.920.3533 or 662.329.1191. Also visit the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center, 300 Main Street, Columbus, for additional Pilgrimage information and local and regional travel information.

A full Pilgrimage schedule and details are available at www.VisitColumbusMS.org.

Pilgrimage Events Schedule:

Home and Garden Tours – Monday, March 28-Saturday, April 9

Kickoff Party – March 28, 5-8 p.m., Tennessee Williams Welcome Center lawn, 300 Main St. featuring Kingfish

Tales from the Crypt – March 30, April 1, 4, 6 and 8, 7-10 p.m., Friendship Cemetery, Fourth Street South

Carriage Rides – March 31, April 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9, 9 a.m. until, from the Visit Columbus and Welcome Center parking lot

Half Marathon / 5K Run – April 2, 7 a.m./7:15 a.m. starts, Welcome Center and Visit Columbus parking lot

Catfish in the Alley® – April 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Columbus’ historic Catfish Alley

Artisan’s Alley featuring handcrafted period articles and food items – April 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tennessee Williams Home, 300 Main St.

Chanticleer performs – April 3, 7 p.m., Mississippi University for Women campus

Garden Party – April 9, 3-6 p.m., Colonnade Garden, 620 Second St. South