Page 16 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2017

COASTNOTES
Harrison County Fairgrounds
books variety of events
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Harrison County Fairgrounds
ithin the past year, the Harrison County Fairgrounds has undergone tremendous change. Since the addition of Greg Whitfield as the
director of Harrison County Parks and Recreation in April of last year, many new and exciting events have started making their way towards the Gulf Coast.
“One of our goals is for the fairgrounds to become one of the most well known destinations in the region, and we’re well on our way to being nationally recognized as a top equestrian center,” said Whitfield.
The Harrison County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center speaks for itself with its six carpet-fiber all-weather arenas, two practice arenas and beautiful outdoor grass arena. “We’re the only equestrian facility on this level with nine arenas, and the only one in the Southeastern United States to have carpet-fiber arenas,” Whitfield said.
The multipurpose facility has hosted some of the
best in entertainment, agricultural, community, family, social and sporting events, and will continue to expand in the coming years. “Last year, the fairgrounds booked 17 out of 52 available weekends and this year we’ve already scheduled 41 weekend events,” Whitfield noted. “Most of these events are new to Harrison County.”
Future events include the Southeastern Stock Horse Show on April 1, C10 Truck Show on April 8, and recurring quarterly flea market and arts and craft show beginning May 13.
The Harrison County Fairgrounds attracts tourism from all over the globe, being the home of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic, as well as rodeos, concerts, festivals, barrel races, circuses, the county fair and more. The fairgrounds plays a vital role in stimulating the economic engine of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and hopes to continue expanding to book every available weekend of 2018.
Harrison County Fairgrounds
15321 County Farm Road, Gulfport | 228.832.8620
16 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • March 2017
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
LEFT: Greg Whitfield, director of Harrison County Parks and Recreation.