Jackson Free Press

Halloween weekend is packed full of festive events, costume contests and parties. Tonight, join the Jackson Bike Advocates for the second-annual Halloween Community Bike Ride. Meet for the eight-mile ride at 6 p.m. in the Rainbow Grocery parking lot. Costumes, helmets and bike lights are encouraged. Tonight also marks the inaugural Mississippi International Film Festival at the Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.). The festival includes international film screenings, and live music. Tonight's films feature a tribute to India and the blues. Tickets range from $5 to $20. Call 601-665-7737 for information or visit http://www.mississippifilmfest.com for a complete schedule and to purchase tickets. To support a worthy cause, head to Pink Friday at Suite 106 (106 Wilmington St.), at 9 p.m. for free food and live entertainment and. All proceeds from the door and a percentage of sold bottles of wine go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research; a $10 donation is suggested. For more events this weekend, check out the JFP Events Calendar for all the weekend happenings.

Wake kids up early Saturday morning for the Jackson State University Homecoming Celebration parade starting at 9 a.m. on Capitol Street. The parade's grand marshal is actress Vanessa Bell Calloway. Call 601-979-2241 to find out more about all homecoming festivities. Get into the Halloween spirit and attend Fondren Theatre Workshop's "The Rocky Horror Show" at Hal & Mal's (200 Commerce St.) at 7 p.m. or 10 p.m. Tickets are $20; call 601-982-2217 for advance tickets. Before you head out on the town, make sure you eat at a local restaurant like Julep, Cool Al's or Roosters. Jackson is full of options for costume parties and contest on Saturday. The Jackson Downtown Neighborhood Association hosts Blocktober on Congress Street in front of The Plaza building at 8 p.m with music by Horse Trailer and Iron Feather. The Electric Cowboy (6107 Ridgewood Road) is offering a $2,500 prize for the best costume, starting at 8 p.m. F. Jones Corner is hosting a "Rock Horror Picture Show" Costume Contest from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., and performances by Ms. Jackie Bell and Lazy Boi will continue late into the night. Visit JFP Restaurant Listings and the Menu Guide to satisfy your stomach, and JFP Music Listings to plan your night out.

On Sunday, relax with an afternoon of Dixie Land jazz and swing dance music hosted by New Bourbon Street Jazz Society at Colonial Country Club (5635 Old Canton Road) at 3 p.m. The event is free for members and $10 for nonmembers. Call 601-956-8521 for more information. Afterwards, the kids can enjoy one of the many area fall festivals. Colonial Heights Baptist Church (444 Northpark Drive, Ridgeland) annual Fall Festival is at 4:30 p.m. for families in the area. Call 601-956-5000 for information on entertainment and the many games for that evening. The Church Triumphant (731 S. Pear Orchard Rd., Ste 43) hosts Hallelujah Night at 5 p.m. End your weekend with the classical American play "The Miracle Worker" about Helen Keller at New Stage Theater (1100 Carlisle St.) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $22 for seniors/students. Call 601-948-3533 for more showtimes for the production that runs through Nov. 7. Search the JFP's Best Bets for the Sunday's best picks.

Is something missing? To make sure your event is listed on the JFP calendars, send the information to [e-mail missing] or [e-mail missing], or add your event yourself. It's easy!