Dec 10
19

BAWI Fest and Gala

One of the highlights of the fall festival season this year was the first BAWI Fest celebrating the Balance Agriculture With Industry program that was introduced here in the 1930′s by Governor Hugh White. BAWI started in Columbia and eventually became a statewide and national program to increase industrial production in areas that were typically agriculturally based economies. The BAWI program was the catalyst for bringing Reliance Industries, now Pioneer Aerospace, to Columbia, Mississippi.

The BAWI Fest featured a full weekend of events and entertainment for all ages and interests. The event was presented by Main Street Columbia, Inc. to educate people about BAWI and to remind locals of an important part of our heritage in Columbia.

On November 5, 2010, BAWI Gala Guests at the Hugh White Governor’s Mansion were treated to a historic party, hosted by Ann and Bill Simmons, complete with period costumes from the 1920′s and 1930′s and musical perfomances by local pianists and a swing band from USM with a special vocal performance by Lynn Beach. An art auction was held at the BAWI Gala for an original oil painting by Mississippi artist Grace Buchanan. The food and drink were delicious, the surroundings were exquisite, the conversation was lively, and the location was the perfect environment to celebrate Governor White’s vision.

On November 6, BAWI Fest kicked off early on a cold morning and featured live entertainment by Merika Duncan, Samantha Landrum, The Doug Duncan Band, James Medious, Zak Craven, and the East Marion Chorale. Students in period costumes gave walking historic tours of downtown Columbia, arts and crafts booths ran down the middle of Main Street, there were book signings by local authors, and hundreds of quilters displayed their quilts. The quilt crafters and quilt shoppers alike enjoyed displays and activities such as the Quilt Korner, the Fat Quarter Stroll, the “Jacob’s Ladder” Quilt Raffle, and more.

On November 7, a packed house enjoyed an amazing production of The Nutcracker Ballet at the Columbia Academy Performing Arts Center featuring dancers from Dance Theatre in Columbia and Ballet Mississippi in Jackson.