Poplarville to host second annual Sweet Mississippi Tea Festival

POPLARVILLE, Miss. — It was decided Tuesday at a city meeting that Poplarville’s second annual Sweet Mississippi Tea Festival will be held October 16 &17 2020. 

HOW IT BEGAN

The Sweet Mississippi Tea Festival was originally born out of an interest in a cooler weather festival for locals to enjoy, while creating opportunities to boost local charities and foster positive partnerships within the community. 

“The festival last year was bigger and better than we even expected,” Poplarville Mayor Rossie Creel said. “It generated a lot of excitement in the community. The festival was well thought out and put together. The board is full of people that think outside of the box and they did a fantastic job putting on the festival.

“We look forward to a successful event this year and watching it grow from here on out.”

Jeff Brown and Donald Van de Werken were instrumental in the production of Poplarville’s inaugural SMTF. Brown and Van de Werken are co-owners of the local J&D Blueberry and Tea Farm and Brown is also Poplarville’s Current Chamber of Commerce President. 

"We knew that Poplarville would be a perfect place to have a tea festival with its small town feel but we also knew it was growing and evolving," Brown said. "Almost 3,000 people attended during the two days and we received great feedback. We are hoping that the situation surrounding COVID-19 will be better for everyone and that CDC guidelines and safety protocols allow us to hold our event safely."

2019 TURNOUT

In 2019 the festival hosted over 40 exhibitors including leather crafters, woodworkers, painters and live music throughout.  An art walk was accompanied by other interactive events such as a highly competitive sweet tea drinking contest, games, and a sweet tea brewing competition voted on by attendees. 

"One thing I observed last year was that people spent time walking through the festival listening to music, sampling products, and seeing what vendors had to offer," Brown said. "It was a testimony of how enticing the festival was. It brought a lot of people together from different perspectives and backgrounds to enjoy one blended community feeling."

The SMTF also partnered with the Poplarville Women’s Club to host a high tea which included food catered by Poplarville High School’s culinary students. During the event a best tea hat competition was held and attendees flaunted festive headwear. 

"I spent the weekend walking around town enjoying the live music, the homemade crafts from vendors, and the relaxed small town feel that the festival gave," 2019 Sweet Tea Drinking Contest Winner Sawyer Walters said. "I was especially excited to be able to enter the a sweet tea drinking competition and receive the title of the Undefeated Mississippi Sweet Tea Drinking Champion. 

"I can’t wait to see what’s in store this year. Come challenge me for my title and I hope to see you all there."

LOOKING AHEAD

When Brown talks about the vision for the 2020 festival he looks forward to involving communities in surrounding areas and continuing to incorporating new tea related elements into the event.

"We had great sponsors last year and we hope to reach out to surrounding communities to get businesses enthused about being a part of the festival as well," Brown said. "We also want to bring in more information about the tea process itself including not only the growing process but how the tea is actually blended together."

The festival coordinators look forward to bringing back favorite events as well as offering new and exciting opportunities for locals to enjoy. 

"I have been working closely with this years graphic designer, Corey Guerra, to develop our overall brand and to ensure that every aspect of the Sweet Mississippi Tea Festival receives the attention to detail that it deserves," Marketing Committee Chair Jacob Cochran said. "I don’t want to say too much but patrons can expect the High Tea to be a much bigger event this year and we are also adding a farm-to-table style dinner.

"We have had new exhibitors contacting us to reserve their spots. We foresee the festival doubling in size from last year."

For more information about the festival visit www.smteafest.com. Those interested in learning how to get involved can email info@smteafest.com. 

For the latest news on the Sweet Mississippi Tea Festival visit www.smteafest.com and follow us on Facebook ​and Instagram (@SweetMississippiTeaFestival).