Category Archives: Columbus

Save the Date: Friday, July 1 for Fireworks on the Water

By CAFB, Columbus, Culture/Entertainment, CVB, Golden Triangle, Recreation

The CVB, Columbus Air Force Base, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city are proud to present their annual Fireworks on the Water program on Friday, July 1 from 5-10 PM on the East bank of the Stennis Lock & Dam (the fireworks will be visible from the West side, as well). Come on out to enjoy the celebration, food, live entertainment, kids’ activities, and stay for the brilliant light show in the sky!

Courtesy of the Dispatch —

CVB President Nancy Carpenter

CVB XD Nancy Carpenter

Events like this help people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and just have fun as a community. “It’s not just a community event,” CVB Executive Director Nancy Carpenter said. “It’s one that the entire region comes out to enjoy.”

The event will feature jumpers, face painting and other activities for children, along with glow sticks for purchase. The fireworks display should start about 9 p.m.

Carpenter said CVB is asking that people don’t bring their own coolers or pets.

“The initial reason behind it was the Visit Columbus Board of Directors wanted to do something special for the men and women at Columbus Air Force Base,” she said. “There’s no better time than our Independence Day to do that. This is a way we can say thank you by doing something special for them and their families.”

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Battalion Chief Bobby Barksdale Has Last Meal With B-Shift

By Columbus

Columbus Fire Department Batallion Chief Bobby Barksdale, who is retiring after 28 years of dedicated service to our community, is just one of many heroes who have dedicated their lives — and, at times, given them up — to protect the good people of Columbus. We here at GFB would like to offer up our congratulations, and our eternal gratitude, to the Chief and all of his brothers and sisters in uniform for a job well done!

Photo credit: Anthony Colon, Columbus Fire & Rescue Magazine

chief barksdale1chief barksdale2

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$250 Million — Economic Impact of CAFB on Local Area

By Business, CAFB, Columbus
14th Flying Training Wing Commander Col. John Nichols speaks during the Base Community Council's first meeting Thursday. Nichols reported that the base's economic impact for 2015 was approximately $249 million. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

14th Flying Training Wing Commander Col. John Nichols speaks during the Base Community Council’s first meeting Thursday. Nichols reported that the base’s economic impact for 2015 was approximately $249 million. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

$250 Billion — Economic Impact of CAFB on Local Area

The USAF’s air base here in Columbus employs a good 2,800 servicemen, servicewomen, and civilians, all of whom live here, eat here, shop here, and party here. All of that means money coming into the city to keep it thriving. And that’s Good for Business!

Courtesy of The Dispatch

14th Flying Training Wing Commander Col. John Nichols addressed the CAFB’s Columbus Club recently, speaking of the base’s performance in the last year or so. As part of this, he said that the base brought $249.6 million into the local economy, up from about $241 million the prior year. Most of that money is in the form of payroll dollars to the 2,800 USAF personnel and civilian employees on-base, who then proceed to spend much of their money locally:

“That paycheck supports their families,” Nichols said. “They buy cars here in Columbus. They go out to eat. They spend money. That money is infused right back into the local economy, so it makes a big difference.”

He went on to say that indirect local job creation added another $32 million to that number:”So if Buffalo Wild Wings has to add another server because so many airmen are down there, that’s the indirect job effect,” he said.Nichols will complete his current two-year Tour of Duty in July, at which time he will return to Barksdale AFB in Shreveport. He expressed his sentiment about the reassignment: “It’s going to be tough to leave,” Nichols said. “We’ve met so many great people.”

He also stated that Chief Master Sgt. Rita Felton, the base’s Command Chief Master, is leaving in October. “It means there’s going to be a lot of change, but what I can assure you of is this place won’t miss a beat,” Nichols said. “It will be like nothing happened. I promise. That’s how we do things in the military.”
Read the full article at the link: http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=50336

 

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President’s Cup Soccer Tournament Brings in an Estimated Two Million Dollars

By Columbus, CVB, Foodservice, Recreation

President’s Cup Soccer Tournament Brings in an Estimated Two Million Dollars

Courtesy of the Commercial Dispatch –

The tournament, which is the state’s largest, took place here in Columbus this past weekend, bringing with it about 120 teams from across the state, as well as more than six thousand loyal fans. Nancy Carpenter, executive director of the Columbus-Lowndes CVB, reports that the total economic impact on our area is around two million dollars. Hotels for miles around were booked solid, and many visitors reported that local restaurants went out of their way to provide superlative service.

Mario Aguirre, left, a member of Columbus United, looks to make a play during the Presidents Cup Tournament in Columbus this weekend. Photo by: Courtesy photo

Mario Aguirre, left, a member of Columbus United, looks to make a play during the Presidents Cup Tournament in Columbus this weekend. Photo by: Courtesy photo

Columbus also played host to the recent SLW bass fishing tournament, with approximately 300 fishermen on 147 boats, many of whom had been coming up to check out the local waters for weeks in order to prepare for the event.

“It’s been a huge, huge weekend,” Carpenter said.

Games were held a the Soccer Complex, as well as at Cook soccer field and Columbus High School soccer fields.

Click here for the full article:

http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=50242

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Market Street Starts Tomorrow Night! Mardi Gras Comes to Columbus!

By Business, Columbus, Foodservice, Recreation

market street 2016Just a reminder, everyone! Columbus’ 21st Market Street Festival kicks off tomorrow night with a bang and a party! This year’s theme is Mardi Gras, so wear your best purple, gree, and gold outfit and Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez!

The kid-friendly party will get rolling at around 7 PM with music from New Orleans band, The Big Fun Brass Band! A couple hours later, zydeco legends Rockin Dopsie will take the stage! Food will be available Friday evening and all through the Friday~Saturday festival. The concert is free — Bring your folding chairs, but please leave your coolers and pets at home. More wonderful music, arts & crafts, and foods will be sold throughout the Main Street area during Market Street.

You can find a complete music and events lineup at www.marketstreetfestival.com. 

You can also give Market Street a call at 662-328-6305 for more info.

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The young people of Columbus are out there, serving our community – literally!

By Columbus, Foodservice, The W
loaves n fishesCOLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) —
 
Students from the W and from West Lowndes HS served folks in need at Loaves and Fishes this past Wednesday, as part of Global Youth Service Day.
 
“When I was first contacted about this, I thought it was about teaching teenagers how to cook something simple, something healthy, to get them away from snack foods and fast food restaurants, but then it turned into a community event,” said Wilson Beck, a chef at Zachary’s.
 
See more at the link below:
http://www.wcbi.com/local-news/video-columbus-students-volunteer-at-food-bank/
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Columbus Celebrates 60 years of Pilgrimages

By Columbus, CVB, Real Estate, Recreation
The people of Columbus have always known that we have a bunch of beautiful homes that are worth seeing. It seems that plenty of folks from all across the country agree with us! We’ve even had a huge celebration held every year for decades to celebrate: The Pilgrimage, which is in full swing. Take some time this weekend to indulge in a bit of Columbus’ vibrant history.
 
Hit the link below for the video, courtesy of WCBI:
http://www.wcbi.com/local-news/historic-homes-draw-crowds-during-pilgrimage/
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Roadways Have Been Cleared — Additional Tornado Cleanup Begins

By Lowndes County BoS, New Hope
Tornado debris in New Hope. Image courtesy of the Commercial Dispatch

Tornado debris in New Hope. Image courtesy of the Commercial Dispatch

Our hearts go out to the many local folks whose homes and businesses damaged, or even destroyed, by the recent EF-1 category tornado that ripped through the New Hope area. The good news is, there is some light at the end of the tunnel!
 
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors recently approved the allocation of $50,000 towards debris removal and cleanup efforts in the area, to begin as soon as contractors accept the offer. While the ultimate cost is expected to be much higher, starting with this amount will allow for immediate cleanup to begin; higher amounts, which are in the works, require as much as a month to truly get rolling, due to the complexity of the bidding process.
 
Road Manager Ronnie Burns said that all of the roads were clear by 1 AM on Friday morning; he credits the workers from Lowndes and surrounding areas for the speed: “Our guys did a great job and we really appreciate the help from those other agencies. It was some great teamwork, I thought.”
 
Hit the link for more info:
 
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=49349
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Mayor’s Unity Picnic TODAY in Columbus

By Columbus, CVB, Foodservice, Recreation

6295577-unity-picnicThe Mayor’s Eighth Annual Unity Picnic will be held Saturday at Columbus Riverwalk Park, after Catfish in the Alley, from 4 to 8 p.m. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public. There will be hot dogs and catfish, as well as a live band, a DJ and jump castles for children.  All food and events have been donated by local businesses, organizations, and individuals. There will also be a half-marathon beginning at 7 a.m., which takes runners alongside the Tombigbee River bed. A 5K begins at 8 a.m. and goes through Columbus’s historic neighborhoods. Catfish in the Alley begins at 10 a.m. on Fourth Street, where families can enjoy food and live music.

 

 

The Mayor’s Unity Picnic is sponsored by Mayor Robert Smith, the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority and the Columbus Visitors’ Bureau.

 

 

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