The 13th annual Hambone Festival will not be the same as in past years due to COVID-19, but it will take place as scheduled with in-person events for four days from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1.
Hambone Gallery owner Stan Street & The Hopeless Case Band will play during the festival. Johnny Rawls, Bill “Watermelon Slim” Homans, Frenchies Blues Destroyers, Reverend Robert, Ray Cashman, Mississippi Marshall and Sean Bad Apple will be some of the musicians performing during the festival. Musicians will come from states such as Texas, Florida and Illinois.
Street said Hambone Gallery – located on East Second Street - will have a jam session and a host of musicians Thursday, Oct. 29 and music all day Oct. 30. Homans will be the headliner Friday, Oct. 30 and Apple will play Saturday, Oct. 31.
“We’re going to try to block the street off, too, on Saturday, so we’ll have a little street event,” Street said.
Street said there will be performers at the Shack Up Inn and Collective Seed & Supply Co. Saturday, Oct. 31.
“We’re trying to spread some things out just because of COVID,” Street said.
Street said there will be 25 individuals at a time allowed in Hambone Gallery to help with social distancing.
“There will be two shows,” he said. “Instead of having just one show and pack people in here, we’re going to have two shows so that after the first show, then everybody will have to clear out. Then we’ll have a whole other group of new people who will be able to come in.”
Street said one reason the Hambone Festival is around Halloween weekend each year is his birthday is Oct. 27. Its uniqueness extends beyond the timing.
“The cool thing, too, is the Car & Truck Show (Cruzn the Crossroads Car & Truck Show) is going on at the same time,” Street said. “That’s going to be a parade of cars and trucks on Friday evening. Then Saturday is the show.”
While many festivals in Clarksdale have been virtual since the COVID-19 pandemic, Street felt it was important for the Hambone Festival to proceed as planned.
“At some point, we have to just be safe and have things going on,” Street said. “Our economy needs it. I’m not downplaying what’s happening here. It’s a real thing, but we’ll have plenty of hand sanitizer. Everybody is required to wear masks. We’re going to have the tables separate, so there’s plenty of social distancing going on. A lot of it is going to be out in the street, so we’ll have chairs out on the street. Performers will be up near the building.
“It’s going to be the first real festival. We missed out on so many different festivals. People are starting to come around now. I’ve had a lot of interest in it. For awhile, I thought, should I have it? I want to be responsible, but I do want to be responsible for a lot of places not shutting down because there’s no activity. So what are you going to do? It’s a double-edged sword. If you don’t feel well and you’re afraid, then stay home. Just know that if you do come, we’re doing everything in our power to make everything safe for everyone.”
Street did not have an opinion on decisions upcoming festivals in Clarksdale should make.
“We don’t know if there’s going to be a vaccine,” he said. “We don’t know if the numbers are going to drop significantly. I would just say proceed cautiously. That’s the only thing we can do and that’s what I’m doing.”
Street did say having the Hambone Festival could have positive health benefits.
“I believe it’s good for people to get out and get some fresh air and exercise,” he said. “I don’t think it’s healthy to just stay home all the time. Just be careful and get out and enjoy yourself some.”
One suggestion he had for everyone was to bring lawn chairs to the festival as a way of attending and remaining healthy at the same time.
Street said people need to spend money in Clarksdale and most restaurants will be open proceeding cautiously.
“It’s not going to be as big as my previous festivals, but I just felt as though I wanted to have something,” Street said. “People love to come to Clarksdale. I have so many friends from all over the world. Obviously, we don’t have any travelers from overseas that are coming this year. It’s going to be different, but the entertainment will be there.”
