To date Ripley Main Street has applied for and administered grants to restore and re-purpose two buildings in downtown. The first building to be renovated was the old Dixie Theatre. The renovated theatre opened its doors during the summer of 2007 with a production of Grease. Since then the theatre has hosted six community plays, a gala, a talent show and a business seminar.
The second building renovated in Ripley was the old Tippah County Jail. In 2005, the former Tippah County Jail (1938 – 2003) was named one of Mississippi’s Ten Most Endangered Historic Places by the Mississippi Heritage Trust. The renovation, completed in April 2008, will allow the building to become an archive for county papers which have been stored improperly for years and are suffering decay. The archive will serve as a vehicle for genealogical and historic research. In addition to historic preservation, Ripley Main Street plays host to six annual community events. The first event of the year is the Easter Egg Hunt attended by more than 200 children. Following the Easter Egg Hunt is the newly created Spring Fling. The Spring Fling features a talent contest, art exhibition, an Artisan Alley and a crawfish boil.
During the summer, Ripley Main Street hosts one of the best 4th of July celebrations in Northeast Mississippi. The Star Spangled celebration features an Ole Miss/MS State Alumni Softball game, live music, children’s activities and a fantastic fireworks show.
In the fall, Ripley hosts a Spirit of Ripley Festival that includes a Chili Cook-off, costume contest and Trick-or-Treats. Two weeks after the Spirit of Ripley festival is the Faulkner Heritage Festival. This event celebrates William Faulkner’s rich Tippah County Heritage. Two of Faulkner’s great-grandfathers lived in Ripley and the festival is held on the anniversary of his notorious Great-grandfather Old Colonel Falkner, who was shot down on the courthouse square by his arch rival and former business partner RJ Thurmond. This event includes an informative lecture series, an art contest, a formal dinner, a theatre event, a walking tour of Ripley given by Bruce Smith and a student-led tour of Ripley Cemetery. The final event of the year hosted by Ripley Main Street is the Christmas Parade.
The Ripley Main Street Board of Directors would like to invite you to come visit us any time. We would love to show you around town and hear what you’ve been doing to restore and revitalize your hometown.
