Program Events & Projects

Thank You Picayune Main Street, Inc.
56th Semi-Annual Fall Street Festival Sponsors
MS POWER. LeafFilter Gutter Protection
Barze’ Antiques & CBD Junction

Creative Outdoor Spaces Thigpen Alley 110 East Canal Picayune MS

June 17th 5:45pm Thigpen Alley Ribbon Cutting with Grandpa Thigpen’s Grandson Brian & Family will join Picayune Mayor Jim Luke to cut the ribbon.

Witness will Rock the Block @ 6:30pm Sounds of Downtown.

Rolling in the Dough and Hall About Flava will be serving delicious food and beverages.

Enjoy an adult beverage from the Beer Garden Bring a Lawn Chair to Relax & Enjoy the Music. Wear Your Dancing Shoes & Dance in the Street. Location 100 Blk East Canal Picayune MS 39466

Ice Chest Not Allowed. A Picayune Main Street, Inc. Event

Creative Outdoor Spaces 2 Thigpen Alley PDF https://bit.ly/3tvSVfe

Samuel Grady “Grandpa” Thigpen, Sr.  was an area entrepreneur who opened Thigpen Hardware Store in 1919 at this very location. An integral part of the community, Grandpa operated the store for 62 years (1919-1981)

In addition, Thigpen was both a founder and the first president of the First National Bank of Picayune, a radio broadcaster, a writer,  and a local historian. The Thigpen Store News, a publication that contained local history and articles written by Thigpen,  as well as free want ads for the public, ran for over 57 years.

“Grandpa” Thigpen passed away on Christmas Day, 1981, at the Lucius Olen Crosby Memorial Hospital in Picayune, MS.  He was 91.
Mural by Andy Green
Pearl River Map turtles, which survived the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs, are dwindling in number due to human-driven pollution.  
In July 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added them to the list of threatened species, thus providing federal protection for the very rare and beautiful Pearl River map turtle.

Native to Pearl River County, the bright green plant featured with
Earl the Turtle is the Pitcher Plant – so named because of its resemblance to a water pitcher. It can be viewed live in the South Savanna Bog located at The Crosby Arboretum where it is one of the arboretum’s most identifiable and signature species.
Mural by Artist Andy Green
Haynes Haselmaier, a local beekeeper, invented the Beetle Baffle.
 This incredible device protects honeybees from a major threat – a small hive beetle that destroys honeycomb production. Haselmaier’s baffling invention is sold all over the world.

Sunflowers grow in abundance in Pearl River County.  In fact, Coastal Ridge Farm 27075 Road 221, Picayune MS is the Number One location on the Mississippi Sunflower Trail.
Mural by Ashley Anderson Mason
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PARTNERS
Creative Outdoor Spaces Project 2
Welcome to Thigpen Alley

Picayune Main Street, Inc. Economic Vitality Team & Picayune Public Works Dept. spent many hours on Creative Outdoor Space

Muralist Ashley Mason and Andy Green’s art added culture and historic relevance of our community along with adding an attraction for locals and tourists alike.

MS Power, Coast Electric, MS Main Street and City of Picayune’s support and contributions are appreciated and vital to continue our mission of Revitalizing Downtown Picayune.

Creative Outdoor Spaces Bank Alley & Thigpen Alley bring life to the downtown and will provide a place for outdoor gatherings for years to come.

Community Development Precedes Economic Development

Main Street Community Revitalization Grant

Picayune Main Street, Inc. Board of Directors are thrilled to announce MS Main Street Association received legislative funding for the Main Street Community Revitalization Grant program in the amount of $100,000.00 that will directly benefit Historic Downtown Picayune, MS

MS Main Street Association

The Main Street Community Revitalization Grant program will provide $5 million in funds for eligible projects in MMSA Designated Communities. Communities with a population under 25,000 will each receive $100,000, and communities over 25,000 population will each receive $125,000.

“Our team is excited to roll up our sleeves and help our local programs get to work on significant downtown projects that will make a huge impact in their communities!”

MS Main Street State Executive Director , Thomas Gregory

56TH PICAYUNE BI-ANNUAL FALL STREET FESTIVAL
A PICAYUNE MAIN STREET, INC EVENT
Discover Historic Downtown Picayune, MS and Experience the New South Old Charm that our community is known for. Check out Downtown Antique & Vintage, Art & Clothing Shops & Delicious Local Dining along with over 250 Artisans featuring Antique, Woodwork, Clothing, Jewelry along with a variety of food vendors to please every taste bud. Visit the Street Festival Tab for application and guidelines
April 9, 2022 @ 10am Ribbon Cutting Kids Kingdom Playground @

Friendship Park Designed by Burke Playground and Installed by Planet Recess 1701 South Haugh Avenue Picayune MS 39466
https://www.wlox.com/2022/04/08/friendship-park-upgrades-include-kids-kingdom/

SAVE OUR PARK COOK OFF FUNDRAISER

Gumbo & Dessert Cook Off Results

  • Seafood Gumbo
  • 1st Team Drennan
  • 2nd Team Bud & Lynn
  • 3rd PRC Sheriff’s Dept
  • Meat Gumbo
  • 1st Rowell Correctional Facility
  • 2nd Picayune Fire Dept.
  • 3rd Team KB Kauffman
  • Dessert
  • 1st AmeriClean
  • 2nd Team Drennan
  • 3rd Ashlee Thompson
  • People’s Choice
  • AmeriClean
 
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Main Street Accomplishments

 P.O. Box 1656 Picayune MS 39466   601-799-3070-phone    www.picayunemainstreet.com

Picayune A Great Place to Live, Work and Play

2021 Picayune Main Street, Inc. Accomplishments

Applying the National Main Street 4-Point Approach

Design; Organization; Promotion & Economic Vitality to Achieve Downtown Beautification & Historic Preservation  Projects

 

 Design

  • Funded   Mural on Wilson Printing Building- Andy Green, Artist
  • Funded Mural on Picayune Drug Building & Stewart Insurance Building by Artist Ashley Mason
  • Awarded Funds to complete 5 Façade Projects in Downtown Picayune
  • Assisted with location of a permanent stage location and provided funds to floor stage for downtown events
  • Added a 3rd Bridge over a drainage ditch to connect Shay Park Pavilion for downtown events

Organization

  • 2021 Civic Award 1st Place Picayune Main Street, Inc. Elee Reeves, First Lady of MS presented award- Christy Goss, Reba Beebe, Eric Morris & Tom Milar accepted award.
  • 2020 Law Enforcement Recognition 1st Place Award City of Picayune Code Enforcement Tom Milar Winner
  • 2020 Business/Industry Award 1st Place Mississippi Power Company Environmental Stewardship Council  Eric Morris, City of Picayune Public Works accepted award.
  • 2020 Civic/Non-Profit 2nd Place Picayune Main Street, Inc. Reba Beebe, Director accepted award

     Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce Awards

  • Norman Howell- Board Member was Awarded Volunteer of the Year
  • Suzan Wilson- Board Member Awarded Cheerleader of the Year by Chamber Director Terry Farr

    Picayune Main Street, Inc. Organization Accomplishments

  • Awarded Payroll Protection Program Grant #2 to secure staff during Pandemic
  • Sponsor General Membership Meetings & Breakfast Event Planning & Christmas Appreciation Luncheon for City. Continue to Share Members & Local Organization Events via Social Media upon request
  • Participated in Save Our Park Campaign to help raise funds to rebuild a local playground & upgrade sport fields. Jail & Bail Campaign & Raffle Tickets Raised $42,834.21

Promotion

  • Listed as 1 of 20 Premier Programs in the 2021 MS State Tour Guide
  • Sponsored Picayune 53rd Spring in April 54th Bi-Annual Fall Street Festival in November  
  • Co-Sponsor with City of Picayune the Annual Christmas on the Rails and Shop by Candlelight Event
  • Partnered with City to provide essential service support of downtown events
  • Selected City Rexall Drug as the 2021 Historic Collectible Christmas Ornament (# 22 in Historic Collection)
  • Created New event Main Street Music Event- 3 Day Downtown event promoting local artist and businesses.      Proceeds from event will purchase Christmas Decorations for Jack Read Park.
  • Held the 1st Maker’s Market with 18 local artisans participating.

Economic Vitality

  • Awarded MS Main Street- 2021 Outstanding Façade Improvement Project “Making Downtown More Lovable 2”Received $40,000.00 in Grants for Downtown Revitalization Purpose
  • Received $4000.00 Grants from Visit MS to promote Picayune MS
  • Received $ 13,7500.00 in Sponsorship Support for 2021 Alley Projects
  • Received $1,000.00 Grant Downtown Beautification Grant from Wal-Mart
  • Awarded $50,000.00 in Grants to Downtown Business/Property Owners/Downtown Parking lot
  • Economic Vitality Team Successfully Completed Revitalization of an Alley “Creative Outdoor Spaces” on East Canal
  •  

Community Development Precedes Economic Development

2020 MS Main Street Awards – Picayune Main Street, Inc. won the                                        2020 Outstanding Façade Improvement Project for                                                              Making Downtown More Lovable Promotion

2019 MS Main Street State Awards Luncheon,                                                                                 Mr. Bill Edwards was Nominated Home Town Hero.
Reba Beebe  Board Member Beth Stewart Jarrell and House 108 Representative Stacey Wilkes accepted award in Mr. Bill’s absence.
Mayor Ed Pinero Presented Mr. Bill Edwards 2019 Award  @ City Council Meeting

City of Picayune received 2 awards during the 2018 MS Main Street Association Awards at the Old Capitol Inn Building in Jackson MS.  
Picayune Main Street, Inc. with the help of Bill & Sally Edwards of SalBil Video nominated the City of Picayune for both awards.

 

 

New South, Old Charm – Main Street Picayune