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Traveling the Mississippi Blues Trail

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PAGE 8 Holmes County HERALD - Thursday, february 6, 2020 sippi 38614). ning songs and musicians. region–and the world–today. Traveling the Mississippi Blues Trail Take Highway 49 and head Of course, purists will On your next trip to visit The Mississippi Delta is the home of the Blues and the heart of the Trail to Greenwood to visit the want to visit to the birthplace the Delta, why not travel graves–and learn the lore–of of it all, Dockery Farms (229 the Trail and celebrate the Mississippi Delta Robert Johnson. Highway 8, Cleveland, Mis- Blues? Tourism Association Continue on Highway 49 sissippi 38732), just outside If you go For die-hard Blues fans, to Yazoo County and check of Cleveland. It’s said that Many come for music and it’s nirvana. For music lovers out the legendary Blue Front Charley Patton started it all fall in love with the food! A it’s eye-opening. For travel- Café (107 East Railroad Av- at this very spot along the trip through the Delta is a ers in the Mississippi Delta enue, Bentonia, Mississippi river. feast for the taste buds. Lo- it’s an unforgettable jour- 39040). Considered the old- Next, travel to Leland to cal catfish, whether fried up ney. The Mississippi Blues est active juke joint in Mis- visit the Highway 61 Blues like the old days or finessed Trail is a favorite way for sissippi, this is where the Museum (307 North Broad by award-winning chefs, is music lovers to explore the Bentonia Blues was born and Street, Leland, Mississippi a specialty here. Then there Delta. Trail markers tell the can still be heard. 38756) which honors local are the tamales, in all their stories of the Blues and the Head to Indianola to pay favorites who have left their variations. Of course, there Delta is at the center of that homage to the King of the mark on the world’s mu- is the barbecue. And don’t story. From the Gateway to Delta Blues at the B.B. King sic. Nearby, you’ll find live forget to save room for des- the Blues in Tunica to the Museum and Delta Inter- Blues music in Greenville’s sert! The folks at Visit the famed crossroads (where pretive Center (400 Second entertainment district along Delta have curated a cu- Dockery Plantation is said to be the birthplace of the Highway 61 and Highway Street, Indianola, Mississip- Walnut Street. linary tour for those who Blues. The Mississippi Blues Trail Marker there tells the 49 intersect) in Clarksdale, pi 38751). This state-of-the- Heading down Highway want to enjoy it all. Take story. (Photo Credit: Cleveland Mississippi Tourism) all the way down to Vicks- art showcase is the highlight, 61 to Vicksburg you can visit their recommendation and burg, that “lively river port” but there are classic venues the Muddy Waters Cabin in Eat Your Way through the that fostered so many Blues some essential stops on the (#1 Blues Alley, Clarksdale, and other trail stops in town, Rolling Fork. Vicksburg of- Delta! performers, the stories are Delta Blues tour, just to get Mississippi 38614), which as well. fers several spots for live Unique lodging options riveting. your started. showcases the history of the No trip is complete with- music, as well as the stories add to the character of the Following the trail is the A great first stop is the Blues in the region and fea- out a visit to the GRAM- of famed venues, like the Mississippi Delta and make ideal way to hear those Gateway to the Blues Muse- tures an extensive Muddy MY Museum® Mississippi Blue Room, from days gone the trip more memorable. stories and to learn of the um (13625 US Highway 61 Waters exhibit. You can find (800 West Sunflower Road, by. Boutique hotels, casino ho- people and places that North, Tunica Resorts, Mis- music in Clarksdale every Cleveland, Mississippi This music, which is at tels with on-site entertain- played pivotal roles in the sissippi 38664) in Tunica. night of the week and fa- 38732) in Cleveland. Docu- the heart of the Delta cul- ment, stately historic homes roots of modern music. The Take in interactive exhibits, vorite spots include Red’s menting more than Blues ture, provides so much more and one-of-a-kind down- sites range from downtown stories of native Bluesmen Lounge (398 Sunflower music, this amazing facil- than a soundtrack for a trip town lofts can all be found streets to farmlands, riv- and amazing art and guitar Avenue, Clarksdale, Mis- ity houses more than two through the Delta. It is a win- here. Check out this list of erbanks to cemeteries and collections. sissippi 38614) and Ground dozen exhibits exploring dow to the past and a foun- unique properties and plan churches to juke joints. Head to Clarksdale to visit Zero Blues Club (387 Delta music history and the stories dation for the amazing artists your Mississippi Delta Blues Here’s our suggestion for the Delta Blues Museum Avenue, Clarksdale, Missis- of GRAMMY® award-win- of all genres throughout the road trip. Natalie Winstead showed the Reserve Champion Duroc in the 2020 Holmes County Lilly Word showed the Champion Spot in the 2020 Holmes County 4-H Livestock 4-H Livestock Show held Saturday, January 25 at the Holmes County Livestock Barn Show held Saturday, January 25 at the Holmes County Livestock Barn in Lexing- in Lexington. (Photo by Julie Ellison) ton. (Photo by Julie Ellison) John Franklin Johnson showed the Champion Market Barrow in the 2020 Holmes Falynee Self showed the Reserve Champion Hampshire in the 2020 Holmes County County 4-H Livestock Show held Saturday, January 25 at the Holmes County Livestock 4-H Livestock Show held Saturday, January 25 at the Holmes County Livestock Barn Barn in Lexington. (Photo by Julie Ellison) in Lexington. (Photo by Julie Ellison).
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