October 15th & 16th, 2011, Gautier hosted their annual Mullet & Music Festival in Gautier, Mississippi.
No, it wasn't about the mullet hair cut, but rather about the fish called mullet, which is a coastal fish commonly caught by anglers, both from shore and boats. There are several different kinds, and even I have caught them. It isn't a fish with prestige, and no one ever has a "mullet rodeo", but it is a commonly caught fish, and it has fed many families as well as been used for lots of cut bait.
The festival is an annual event, and I had never attended it before, and while I missed being able to attend on Saturday...I had a second chance to get out there and enjoy it today, and we grabbed it with both hands. It's not a massive festival, but it's not a massive town either. The first question I was asked, via telephone, after I left was "Would you go again?"
My answer was simple, "Not today, but definitely again next year!"
Free music, more vendors of food, crafts, and information than I had anticipated, all lined up along Dolphin Drive, which skirts the Singing River Mall. The mall's parking lot provided ample parking, with ready access to one section or another of the festival area.
There were two things in ample supply there too--sunshine and smiles, and who can have too much of either? The pleasant mid-October temperatures on the Mississippi Gulf Coast also make it a great time of year to just be outdoors--it's the statistically driest month, with balmy temperatures during the day. There was a broad age representation too--everyone from infants to seniors. With the pavement, it also meant that wheelchairs, strollers, and even dog strollers were all easily maneuvered through the crowd.
Obviously, with a visit lasting just a few hours...I couldn't take in all the bands, but Rosco Bandana was a delightful local band on Sunday afternoon. I really enjoyed their music!
Rosco Bandana is a 5 member band, apparently led by the drummer, hidden behind his plexi-glass barrier and a guitarist in this photo. There is a fiddler/violinist, an acoustic guitarist who also does most of the vocals, a very talented young guitarist/bass player/slide guitarist, a cute young lady who plays the tamborine and apparently does back up and some vocals (we were at the other end of the festival area when she was singing, so that's not a fair assessment of her talent or skill).
The band always seemed to be enjoying themselves, which I think is important.
Who wants to listen to a band playing that looks like they are about to be executed?
I enjoyed the mixture of songs they played during their set on stage too. If they are playing in your area, drop by and listen. They do have a Facebook and MySpace page, as well as a page on Reverbination.
Not everything about going to a festival is necessarily healthy, and we all love those forbidden festival foods anyhow!
Would it even still BE a festival without things like deep fried cookies, funnel cakes, and cotton candy?
BBQ--another Southern favorite, was also well represented.
Kettle corn is another festival and fair favorite that is not easily duplicated at home.
There was also jerky for sale.
D'Vine Soulfood & Catering had a booth too.
As the afternoon's tempertures climbed, the line to the snow ball stand grew longer.
You could even get pizza!