Do you like making a dollar?
That’s a question every American can truthfully answer without one bit of guilt or shame. This country and this community were founded by capitalist who spotted an opportunity, put the wheels in motion and carried the proceeds from their labor to the bank.
That opportunity comes once again to Clarksdale this weekend with Juke Joint Festival.
This town saw an estimated 8,000 people show up two years ago. More will show up this year as spring skies beckon people to come outside and enjoy a good time..
We hope you take the opportunity to welcome each and every one of these people back to town this week.
These are people who came to Clarksdale to pick up a T-shirt, pop into a juke joint and soak up Clarksdale culture. We have to believe that many bought gasoline, shopped at local grocery stores, walked in our retail stores and after a busy day sat down to eat at a local restaurant.
On a grander scheme, they may have seen a car they want to buy or a house they would love to call home. Maybe they fell in love with Clarksdale and are pondering bringing a business here?
The Juke Joint will bring thousands of those dollars and thousands of tourists to Clarksdale this weekend.
Many have learned to capitalize on the Juke Joint. Churches will be selling hamburgers and barbecue. Charities and social clubs will be selling water, snowcones and hotdogs. And booster clubs and a group championing a variety of valid causes will raise money to finance their work throughout the year. And yes, there will be a number of private vendors selling something and trying to make a living.
Our motels will be full Friday and Saturday night. We hope our churches will be full Sunday.
One of Clarksdale’s major retail stores has quietly told your Clarksdale Press Register their biggest Spring sales day is the weekend of Juke Joint.
This year’s event could be the biggest ever, so look for those people you haven’t seen in a while.
Money may not make the world go round, but it sure greases the wheels. Clarksdale is lucky we have the Juke Joint Festival.
