The Mississippi State Fairgrounds will play host to the inaugural Mississippi Mudbug Festival featuring live music, amusement rides, and crawfish, April 7-11, sponsored in part by Visit Jackson.

Live entertainment will feature Frank Foster, Doctor Zarr, Chad Wesley, Fordie Hays and J Edwards. 

Amusement rides will be a part of the fun – more than 20, along with food vendors provided by North American Midway Entertainment – and daily ride specials will be offered.

Enter to win particpate in a crawfish eating contest on Friday, April 9. The fastest participant to eat five pounds of crawfish wins a trophy. On Sunday, April 9, crawfish enthusiasts will vie for the title of Champion of the 2021 Battle of the Crawfish.

The Tails and Ales Courtyard, featuring The Back Porch restaurant will sell crawfish plates for $15 per plate and beverages provided by Southern Beverage Company and Clark Beverage Group will be available for purchase.

General admission is free and parking is $5 per car. Entry to the Mudbug Music Area on Saturday, April 10, will be $20 online pre-sale and $25 the day of. Entry to the Mudbug Music Area on Sunday, April 11, will be $15 online pre-sale and $20 the day of.

Rides will open each day and prices are $1.50 per coupon, $25 for 22 coupons and $60 for 50 coupons. Or, enjoy all rides for one low wristband price of $15 on Wednesday, April 7, and $25 on Thursday, April 8, through Sunday, April 11. Advanced ride wristbands can be purchased online for $20.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday’s musical performances can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com.

Schedule of the Mississippi Mudbug Festival is as follows:

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

  • 5:00 p.m. – Gates and Rides open – Free admission
  • 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Ride-A-Thon – Enjoy over 20 great rides for $15
  • 5:00 p.m. – Crawfish and beverages will be available for purchase inside the Tails and Ales Courtyard
  • 10:00 p.m. – Gates close

Thursday, April 8, 2021

  • Noon – Gates open – Free admission
  • 2:00 p.m. – Rides open
  • 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Ride-A-Thon – Enjoy over 20 great rides for $25
  • 2:00 p.m. – Crawfish and beverages will be available for purchase inside the Tails and Ales Courtyard
  • 10:00 p.m. – Gates close

Friday, April 9, 2021

  • Noon – Gates open – Free admission
  • 2:00 p.m. – Rides open
  • 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. – Ride-A-Thon – Enjoy over 20 great rides for $25
  • 2:00 p.m. – Crawfish and beverages will be available for purchase inside the Tails and Ales Courtyard
  • 4:00 p.m. – Mudbug Music Area opens – Free admission
  • 6:00 p.m. – J Edwards performs
  • 8:00 p.m. – Fordie Hays performs
  • 8:00 p.m. – Crawfish Eating Contest
  • 11:00 p.m. – Gates close

Saturday, April 10, 2021

  • Noon – Gates and Rides open – Free admission
  • 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. – Ride-A-Thon – Enjoy over 20 great rides for $25
  • 2:00 p.m. – Mudbug Music Area opens – $20 with presale ticket or $25 the day-of
  • 2:00 p.m. – House music/DJ will start
  • 3:30 p.m. – Chad Wesley performs
  • 5:30 p.m. – Chad Wesley performs
  • 7:30 p.m. – Frank Foster performs
  • 11:00 p.m. – Gates and Mudbug Music Area close

Sunday, April 11, 2021

  • Noon – Gates and Rides open – Free admission
  • Noon to 8:00 p.m. – Ride-A-Thon – Enjoy over 20 great rides for $25
    Noon – Mudbug Music Area opens – $15 with presale ticket or $25 the day-of
  • 1:00 p.m. – Doctor Zarr performs
  • 1:00 p.m. – Battle of the Crawfish begins
  • 7:00 p.m. – Mudbug Music Area closes
  • 8:00 p.m. – Gates close

We strongly encourage you to follow COVID-19 guidelines set forth by the City of Jackson (facial coverings ARE still required in the city of Jackson, along with social distancing and crowd size limits). See City guidelines here. Stay informed of additional public health guidance on the state level, too.