The Town of Wesson’s celebration of Founders Day starts on Friday evening with a concert in the park and ends Saturday night with dancing in the streets.

It’s the town’s 155th birthday and the Wesson Chamber of Commerce’s 30th anniversary this year, said President Janet Currie. Founders Day began as a June event that coincided with dairy month before being moved up the calendar for the more pleasant weather in April, she said.

Vendor booth spots are available with registration up to 7 a.m. Saturday. Booths are $40 though food booths are a bit pricer, she said. Vendors can register at the Chamber in person during business hours or by calling 601-643-5000. Registration is also available Friday night at the Wesson Park concert or at 7 a.m. Saturday at the festival.

The party begins with Friday Night in the Park at 6 p.m. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to Wesson Park on Church Street to hear Col-Lin Jazz Band first, followed by By Faith at 7 p.m. and Aestheticks at 8 p.m. His Refuge Ministries is in charge of the food booth Friday night for without dinner plans, Currie said.

More than 70 vendors are expected to participate in the flea market, which begins on Spring Street at Hwy. 51 and spreads out in the downtown area Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A kids activity area will include fun jumps and games. The splash park will be open at Wesson Park.

“It’s got a little bit of something for everybody,” she said. “It’s a fun day.”

But will there be food?

“Honey, this is Wesson. We have all kinds of food. We have great food vendors this year,” Currie said, rattling off a list that includes catfish plates, barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, snow cones, kettle corn and cotton candy.

Opening ceremonies are at 10 a.m. with recognition of officers and the board, crowning of the 2019 Founders Day Queen and a performance by the Co-Lin Sojourners.

The parade rolls at 11 a.m. with members of the American Legion Post 79 serving as the grand marshals.

Entertainment begins at noon with acts appearing every half hour — Mississippi Spirit, Wesson Baptist Praise Team, Camellia Line Dancers, Co-Lin Ambassadors and Christian Scott.

Parade winners will be announced at 2:30 p.m.

A six-hour concert begins at 3 p.m. and ends with a fireworks show and a street dance.

Babs Wood starts the show at 3 p.m. with My Savior Story at 4 p.m., Jack Rabbit Slims at 5:50 p.m. and Hannah Belle at 7:30 p.m.

A fireworks show begins at the town park at 9:30 p.m., and a street dance closes out Founders Day from 10 to midnight p.m., she said.

Currie is hoping for good weather for both days and the National Weather Service might just oblige. They’re forecasting a mostly clear Friday with a low around 53 for Wesson and a sunny day Saturday with a high near 80 and a 5 mph wind coming from the east. Saturday’s low is 57 degrees.