Just about 5 miles north of Interstate 10 on Highway 57 (that's exit 57) in Jackson County Mississippi. There is a town called Vancleave. Now all those on the Mississippi Gulf Coast already know Vancleave. It has always been a rural community, small town, lots of acreage, good schools, good athletes. When Katrina hit, Coast folks found out Vancleave also had lots of heart, hosting Katrina camps and helping out in many many ways, and in lots of ways many will never know. Well in the past 12 months there have been a bunch of new folks move to Vancleave to join the community. Moving north of the interstate to start anew building homes.  One benefit those people may not know about it all the wonderful festival that have get hosted by the Vancleave Merchants Association, so I have been asked to put the word out about the remaining festivals for this year so here it goes and we hope to see you there, everyone is invited, they will make you feel at home 

The Annual Fall Festival- 2006 will be the 7th Annual Fall Festival It is held at the Community Gazebo starts at 10 a.m. and goes until around 3 p.m., theres a little munchkins costume contest. Pie auction, Good music, fine food, bring a blanket and sit on the lawn, browse the vendors booths and let the children climb the hay piles, there will be air jumpers and pony rides. Admission and parking is always free.  It's on Hwy 57 in front of Hwy 57.

The Annual Christmas Festival and arts and crafts show -2006- will be on Saturday Dec 16- this will be the 2nd year, outside vendors from 1030 a.m. to 6 p.m., inside vendors and festivities from 2 p.m. to 600 p.m., free parking and admission, free hot cocoa and cookies, $3 Santa photos, kid zone craft area, live entertainment, caroling at 6 p.m.  to the town lawn to light the gazebo and 6 p.m. closing. Join us for an old time Christmas. Vendor space available www.govancleave.com

   If you can't make it down for these festivals, come any time.  It's worth the drive, just to see the area, the trees are changing and it's a nice place, stop by the "drive in" at Cole's to have a "malt" how long has it been since you've done that?