VIDEO: First Annual Aberdeen Bull Dawg Festival

by Victoria Bailey

ABERDEEN, Miss.(WCBI)— The sound of music and the smell of the grill poured out of The city of Aberdeen Saturday.

All of Main street was blocked off as Downtown Aberdeen celebrated it’s First Bull Dawg Festival.

Maurice Howard Mayor of Aberdeen says,” We are looking for it to be an annual festival and we are excited to have everybody come into the city of Aberdeen.”

Several Vendors Lined the street, Saturday Morning. The festival had food, live entertainment and of course shopping. The owners of one shopping stop tell me the festival is great for business.

Latoya Straughter one of the days Vendors says,” It’s definitely bringing new customers in and people that’s in town who hasn’t been to the store and it’s bringing out of towner in so it’s definitely increasing my sales today.”

A lot of planning is behind the first Bull Dawg Festival.The Aberdeen Board of Aldermen approved a grant to help make this event happen.

Alderman Lady Garth of Ward 2 says,”It’s the brain child of the mayor and his pr person and of course the Aldermen we got behind him, to somewhat bring the town together so we can get to know each other. This is our first term for each of us and I’m just here supporting this event.”

Mayor Howard hopes next year the Aberdeen Bull Dawg Festival will be extended to a three day event. And Alderman Garth says this is an event she is hoping will grow as well.

“I’m almost positive it will be greater as the years go on and that’s with every event. Alderman Garth continues to say,”The first time is usually your feel me out time and once the word spreads, just like Amory our neighbor’s railroad event, it is awesome now, ours will be awesome in the years to come.”

Small Town Community Festivals always leave a lasting mark on the local economy. Mayor Maurice Howard says they are already looking toward next years festival. “Next year we’re going to start planning in November for next year so if you want to be apart of it all you have to do is reach out to the city hall say hey listen next year I don’t want to miss out and every year is going to be bigger and better so we’re looking to have an awesome time tonight.” The Free Festival began at 10:00 Saturday morning and will go till 10:00 at night.