Plan Ahead

Make the very best of your day at the festival!

With so much to choose from at the Mississippi Book Festival, we strive to help you maximize your experience through good planning, great amenities, and convenient access. Indoors, we have air-conditioned panel discussion venues, loads of activities to select from, and ample time between. At the center of outdoor attractions on the shaded south lawn of the Capitol, you'll find the Book Signing tent, right across from Booksellers Row. There will also be lots of family-friendly activities, live music, two food pavilions, two cooling stations, and the Community Lawn filled with individual community organization tents. Surrounding streets will turn into a bustling marketplace of book sellers and more food vendors than ever. Plus, of course, there’s much more to explore in the capital city — Visit Jackson!

GETTING THERE & GETTING AROUND

  • from I-55 take Exit 96B onto High Street and travel west — straight towards the State Capitol Building — and follow the orange festival signs to designated parking
  • entire festival site and its attractions are FREE and open to the public
  • streets that are closed to traffic for the day include portions of Mississippi Street, N. West Street, S. Congress Street, and N. President Street
  • panel discussions, activities and exhibits inside the State Capitol building are accessible only via the south security entrance (covered driveway); the north lawn and north entrances will not be available due to ongoing construction
  • panel discussions in Galloway Sanctuary require an arm band, available one hour prior to each session; expect wanding and bag search security measures
  • see INTERACTIVE MAP

ACCOMMODATIONS

ACCOMMODATIONS WITH FESTIVAL RATES

  • Hyatt Place Ridgeland: 1016 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157 - Directions: Top right of page, select “Book Now” button. Select “Corporate or Group Code” from "Special Rates" pull down menu. Enter code: MBFF
  • Staybridge Suites Flowood: 2620 Lakeland Drive Flowood, Mississippi 39232 - Directions: Use the online booking link or call reservations at (601) 952-3234 and request the Mississippi Book Festival group rate.

NEARBY DINING

  • Visit Jackson: where to dine during the festival — see options here
  • check out our INTERACTIVE MAP on Google to find nearby options

FREE PARKING, SHUTTLE SERVICE, & SECURITY

  • free parking is available at 8 designated parking lots and 2 garages — See PARKING MAP — plus along public streets; access the parking garage of the Woolfolk Building from Lamar Street; access the parking garage of the Walter Sillers Building from President Street
  • entire event is handicap accessible with shuttle cart service from parking garages
  • throughout the day shuttle carts circumnavigate the Capitol grounds (along Mississippi, N. West, High and President Streets), making frequent stops and always checking in at the information tent – See FESTIVAL SITE MAP
  • Capitol Police will patrol the festival site as well as designated parking lots

HANDICAP ACCESS

  • handicap access to the Capitol Building is through the south security entrance (covered driveway)
  • a ground-level driveway encircles the Capitol Building and Capitol Security allow handicap drop-offs on the north side (High Street)
  • another low-grade, ground-level driveway wraps the Capitol Building from the north lawn (High Street) to the south lawn (Mississippi Street)
  • a ground-level sidewalk defines the edges of the State Capitol Grounds (High Street, West Street, Mississippi Street, N. President Street) and connects with ground-level driveways, as well as public streets
  • handicap access to Galloway Church venues (Sanctuary, Reception, Fellowship Center) is from Congress Street, through the courtyard between the sanctuary and the chapel
  • handicap access to First Baptist Church Sanctuary is from College Street
  • See FESTIVAL SITE MAP and our INTERACTIVE MAP

INFORMATION, VOLUNTEERS, & PURCHASES 

  • look for the Information tent at the center of the festival to pick up a festival guide
  • count on book-festival-orange shirted volunteers throughout the site to help you navigate your day - sign up to VOLUNTEER
  • NO ATM on site; most merchants accept credit cards, but NOT ALL; plan accordingly
  • buy your Mississippi Book Festival t-shirts, posters, totes, and mugs at the merchandise tent
  • free bottled water is available at the merchandise tent and for purchase at some food trucks
  • find the Information tent and merchandise tents on our FESTIVAL SITE MAP and our INTERACTIVE MAP

MAXIMIZE YOUR DAY

To enjoy your day at the festival in and around the State Capitol building, plan ahead:

  • study the lineup of scheduled activities, panels and signings – see SCHEDULE FLIPBOOK
  • the first discussion panels begin at 9:30 a.m.; each lasts one hour with 15-minute breaks between panels
  • book signings begin at 11:00 a.m.; the last book signing opportunity will be at 5:15 pm; TIP for personalized signed copies of books: while you wait your turn, write out the proper spelling for the name of the person you want the book signed to on a piece of paper or sticky note and present it with the book
  • identify venue and activity locations
  • prioritize your interests; arrive early as smaller venues tend to fill up quickly (first come, first served) and rooms are cleared after each panel in preparation for the next panel
  • purchase books at the bookseller tents and see the book signings schedule to find your favorite author’s signing time – see BOOK SIGNING SCHEDULE
  • stay hydrated; bottled water available at the merchandise tent in the center of the festival and at some food trucks
  • NO ATM on site; most merchants accept credit cards, but NOT ALL; plan accordingly
  • see FESTIVAL SITE MAP and our INTERACTIVE MAP

FOOD & FUN AT THE FESTIVAL

  • lunch break is from 1:00-1:30 pm
  • food trucks flank the both sides of the festival site, along N. West Street and N. President offering local food choices
  • grab'n'go cold foods can be found at the center of the festival, on N. Congress at Mississippi Street
  • NO ATM on site; most merchants accept credit cards, but NOT ALL; plan accordingly
  • food pavilions on both sides of the Capitol’s shady south lawn provide a great place to enjoy a picnic or to hang out with friends
  • two cooling stations near the food pavilions on the south lawn provide a refreshing respite
  • enjoy live music on the south lawn throughout the day
  • see FESTIVAL SITE MAP

REFRESHING WATER & CLEAN RESTROOMS

  • free bottled water is available at the merchandise tent and for purchase at some food trucks
  • luxury, air-conditioned portalets are located along Mississippi Street, on the south lawn near the food pavilions, and also across from Galloway Church on N. Congress.
  • handicap-accessible restrooms are available on the 2nd floor of the Capitol Building (north side) and an ADA portalet is located on the south east side of the site.
  • see FESTIVAL SITE MAP