If you've read the bestselling book The Help or seen the movie, you know the locale is Jackson, Mississippi, and now's the perfect time to see the town and indulge in the Mississippi State Fair, hosted by Jackson October 5-16. The fair includes tons of great events, from pig races to talent contests. Of particular note: the equestrian shootout; antique and classic car show; fiddlers and liars contest; and bluegrass show. Kids will love the petting zoo, pony rides, and children's barnyard. FREE daily musical entertainment include popular groups like Kansas, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Boyz II Men.
Admission is $5, ages 6-up; under 6, FREE; parking, $5. Ride tickets, including specials, must be purchased separately from admission. Best deals: (1) FREE admission weekdays from 11am-1pm allows visitors to enjoy lunch and a stroll along the midway; (2) $25 pays for unlimited rides on opening day (Oct. 5) from 5-11pm; Monday, October 10 from noon to 10pm; Tuesday/Wednesday, October 11/12 from 2-10pm (Sky Ride and Giant Slide excluded); and Sunday, October 16, 4-10pm; (3) Fridays (Oct. 7 & 14), $20 gets you unlimited rides from 10pm-1am.
When it comes to The Help, you can indulge in two self-guided driving tours of sites featured in the book and movie: (1) The Help in Belhaven Neighborhood Tour and (2) The Help in Jackson Driving Tour - Part II.
The Belhaven tour takes you by Fairview Inn, many homes related to the book/movie, and the Headquarters for the Junior League of Jackson. The tour starts and ends at Fairview Street and all sites along the route are clearly numbered. Part II of the tour covers the State Capitol, Governor's Mansion, Brent's Drugs, and the Medgar Evers Home and Museum.
Fairview Inn is mentioned in The Help. Obnoxious Hilly says: "I was thinking next year we might do a Gone with the Wind theme for the benefit; maybe rent the old Fairview mansion." This grand Southern home is for real and is Jackson's only AAA 4-star accommodation. Considered both bed and breakfast and small luxury hotel, the Fairview is in the Belhaven community and features 18 guest rooms with rates starting at $159 a night. Other amenities: a spa, a game room, a private guest lounge, plus Sophia's, the in-house restaurant serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch; to ensure seating, Sophia's recommends reservations, available online or by phoning: (601) 948-3429. One popular lunch item is the Fairview BLT, served with your choice of house fries or sesame black-eyed pea salad for only $8.
What else can you see and do in Jackson? The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum; the War Memorial Building; Mynelle Gardens; Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center; Russell C. Davis Planetarium; Jackson Zoo; Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum; Old Capitol Museum; plus tons of art galleries, antique shopping, and more.
To learn more about events and everything in Jackson, visit www.VisitJackson.com or phone (800) 354-7695.
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