Jackson Free Press

Last spring, despite a steady drizzle forcing the festivities inside, artisans, craft-lovers and musicians gathered together for the inaugural Stray at Home Festival. Bands played in front of an impressive string-art piece in the shape of Mississippi. Patrons sipped craft beer and browsed through handmade paper, letterpress goods and rustic pieced wood furniture.

This weekend, Jackson is getting another serving of southeastern artistry, courtesy of the second Stray at Home Festival. The event will be bigger and bolder, with regional art and live music makers taking up residence on Amite and Congress streets Saturday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Several of the artists have shown their work at recognized national festivals like Chicago's Renegade Craft Fair and Nashville's The Porter Flea. The Stray at Home festival shares the same energy as those well-known events: a little funkier, a little more rock 'n' roll and 100 percent handmade.

Musical acts from around the region include Jackson local DJ Young Venom, Leagues, Humming House, Sound Wagon, Oh' Jeremiah and the Southern Komfort Brass Band, representing music from bluegrass to indie rock. You can also expect sculptors, sketchers, painters, printers, and artists of various media, with plenty of booths set up for buyers and bystanders alike.

"The inaugural Stray at Home last year was really neat and really different for Jackson," says Laurel Donahoo, Stray at Home's media coordinator. "But this year promises to be a lot bigger and better. ... It can't help but be incredible."

The Mississippi Cornhole Association is also hosting a "cornhole," or beanbag toss, competition, which will be open for teams of two to join for an entrance fee of $10 per team. Free-play, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., will let the non-competitive types try their hands at beanbag hurling. Bracket ranking will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., when the official tournament will begin, giving challengers a chance at eternal cornhole glory. Make sure to wear your best game face and beanbag gear, as costumes are heartily encouraged.

Though the festival admission is free, a portion of the proceeds collected from the cornhole tournament will benefit the Jackson Inner-city Gardeners (JIG), an urban farm organization in West Jackson.

The Kids Craft Pavillion, yet another new addition to the Stray at Home Festival, will give children and their parents a feel for the inner-city gardening experience, as well. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the young and the young-at-heart can share in a fun, educational planting project.

"We've been collecting tin cans, and we'll help the kids plant herbs in them and draw on the labels, tying into the Jackson Inner-city Gardeners," Donahoo says. "It's a sweet gift for a child to give for Mother's Day and a way to raise awareness about one of the great things going on in Jackson."

In addition to the area art and regional music, the festival will also offer a taste of local cuisine from event sponsors Jaco's Tacos, Adobo and Parlor Market. Capital City Beverage will provide a variety of craft beers. There will also be a list of "After-Dinner Destinations," restaurants and establishments where Stray-at-Homers can show their armbands for special discounts.

For information regarding sponsorship or participation, contact Stray at Home Director Mary Claire Primos at 
[email protected]. Registration forms for the cornhole tournament and additional information about the Stray at Home Festival can be found at strayathome.com.