Double Decker Arts Festival Marks Another Successful Year
Oxford Crowds Gather for the Annual Celebration of Music, Food, and Art
Oxford, Mississippi once again pulsed with life and vibrancy as the 27th annual Double Decker Arts Festival commanded rapt attention of locals and visitors alike. Known for being one of Mississippi’s best festivals, this year’s iteration kept up to the standards, showcasing a wonderful blend of music, food, and art all over the weekend. This two-day event was kicked off on Friday night, exhibiting captivating live music from Grace Bowers, Conner Smith, and Flatland Cavalry. The free concert attracted thousands to the Square.
Arts, Music and the Double Decker Spring Run
On Saturday, the all-day occasion began at 10 a.m. on the Square, where approximately 140 art vendors and dozens of food vendors lined the roads, making it a vibrant meeting point. The children’s area was bustling by 10:30 a.m. with various bands playing on the stage on North Lamar throughout the day.
Before the Square began humming with activity, the early morning saw more than 2,333 people participate in the annual Double Decker Spring 5K, 10K, and Family Fun runs. The event was deemed the “most successful Double Decker in history” by Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill.
Unifying the Community
In a heartfelt social media post, the Mayor praised the city departments, stating, “Thank you to all the city of Oxford departments that make it happen. It is a huge team effort and it makes me so proud every year to watch our departments all come together to serve our community. Oxford, Mississippi, is still celebrating what we do best — music, food, and art.“
The Saturday night concert saw an even larger crowd gathered on North Lamar from the Stage back to the courthouse. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram was an audience favorite, delivering an unforgettable performance before the stage was taken over by the event’s headliner, Brittany Howard.
A Minor Disappointment and a Major Success
A much-anticipated, large-scale drone show was announced as a special surprise between Ingram and Howard’s performances. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the stunt was canceled. However, this minor disappointment did not douse the enthusiasm of the attendees.
Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen described the weekend as a “great weekend,” stating the presence of large crowds and beautiful weather making it “the perfect weekend to have Oxford on display.”
Although the celebratory spirit saw an increase in arrests, with officers reporting 28 arrests over the weekend including seven DUIs and nine for public drunkenness, the event was overall seen as a proud moment for the town, with another successful Double Decker Arts Festival now part of Oxford’s rich history.
