Dear Editor,
It’s been a rough week, and I write these words with a heavy heart.
I got up this morning to spend time in His word, seeking guidance, peace, and comfort for the tough decision we made to cancel this year’s Juke Joint Festival. God placed on my heart the livelihoods of the businesses and individuals who – in our small town alone – are already feeling the effects of this current health crisis, and the grueling decision the Clarksdale Downtown Development Association made to cancel this year’s Juke Joint Festival.
It is hard to say when the dust from this crisis might settle, what repercussions we all will endure, but this I know for sure: Clarksdale is one great place to call home! Its people, its culture, its charm have enticed many to visit, move, and promote what a great place this is.
And we have the honor of calling it home.
As our team settles into the silence of suddenly having no Juke Joint Festival 2020 around the corner, and as we look ahead to plan for 2021, I’d like to thank you all for the understanding and ongoing support you’ve shown for our festival and our town. We are grateful for our community and the love you’ve shown us, and one another, over these past 17 years. Each of you is a gift and we will never be able to thank you enough.
As normal returns, my creative juices will be flowing for sure. The first thing on my bucket list is to plan a vacation…in my own hometown. Jim and I will plan a weekend where we book hotel accommodations, visit with the locals, shop downtown, eat in our restaurants and enjoy the night life Clarksdale has to offer. We can’t wait to experience Clarksdale in the eyes of our visitors! We look forward to reveling in the charm only Clarksdale, its characters and its culture have to offer -- and we’d love for you to join us.
Humbled, thankful, and blessed,
Nan Hughes,
Clarksdale, Miss.
