Mantee’s Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival: A Culinary and Cultural Celebration Drawing Tourists to Mississippi

Published on October 25, 2025

The Black-Eyed Pea Festival in Mantee, Mississippi, has become a standout event in the town’s calendar, attracting locals and tourists alike for a weekend of food, fun, and festivities. Held annually, the festival celebrates not just a beloved southern food, but the community spirit and rich cultural heritage of this small Mississippi town. The event, held on October 11, 2025, was a day filled with entertainment, food, and charitable causes that brought the entire community together, while also boosting tourism and local businesses in the area.

From the early hours of the morning, participants gathered for a 5-kilometer run/walk, a fun and energetic event that raised funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a cause close to many hearts in the town. The festival then continued with the opening of 23 food and craft vendors, offering an array of delicious dishes, arts, and handmade goods, all set against the backdrop of live performances by local musicians. This unique combination of local culture and community involvement provides not only a day of enjoyment but also a boost to the tourism sector in Mantee, Mississippi.

1. A Day of Community Engagement and Charitable Giving

The day began with a 5-kilometer run/walk, which, while fun for participants of all ages, also had a deeper purpose: raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a cause that underscores the festival’s commitment to giving back to the community. This charitable aspect of the festival is one of the many reasons why it resonates with visitors and residents alike. The integration of a fundraising event with a celebratory festival creates a sense of purpose and community spirit, appealing to both local residents and tourists.

For tourists traveling to Mississippi, the Black-Eyed Pea Festival offers a unique opportunity to experience a small-town event that reflects Southern hospitality and a culture of giving. This combination of community engagement and fun activities not only boosts local morale but also attracts visitors who may be looking for a more personal and intimate travel experience in the U.S.

Tourists who attend such events often seek meaningful connections with the places they visit, and events like this provide a perfect balance between entertainment and charity, offering an experience that goes beyond the typical tourist attraction.

2. Local Vendors and the Appeal of Southern Cuisine

A key highlight of the Black-Eyed Pea Festival is the diverse range of food vendors, each offering a taste of Mississippi’s unique culinary heritage. From black-eyed peas—a staple of Southern cooking—to a variety of southern-style dishes, the food offerings showcase the best of local cuisine. Visitors could sample traditional dishes, enjoy home-cooked meals, and even purchase handmade goods from local artisans.

For tourists, this festival provides an authentic opportunity to experience the rich flavors of Mississippi. Food is a central component of the festival, offering visitors a glimpse into the local culture through its unique Southern recipes. For those traveling to the area, this event provides not only cultural tourism but also an opportunity to indulge in one of the most iconic aspects of Southern culture: food.

Moreover, food festivals like this one are pivotal to supporting local businesses, allowing small vendors to showcase their products and food items. In doing so, the festival strengthens the local economy and brings new opportunities to local producers and artisans who might otherwise have limited exposure.

For tourists, participating in food-focused events like this one offers a way to experience a destination through its most distinctive characteristics: its flavors and its people.

3. Craft Vendors and Southern Artistry

In addition to food, the Black-Eyed Pea Festival also draws attention to the arts and crafts scene in Mantee, Mississippi. With 23 craft vendors participating, the festival offers a wide range of handmade goods, from traditional Southern art to local jewelry, pottery, and textiles. These local artisans play a key role in preserving the town’s cultural identity while also providing tourists with unique souvenirs and mementos from their visit.

The presence of craft vendors at the festival not only supports local artists but also creates an opportunity for tourists to engage with the craftsmanship that defines the region. The chance to purchase handmade, local products adds another layer to the tourism experience, allowing visitors to take home a piece of Mississippi while simultaneously supporting the local economy.

As cultural tourism continues to grow in popularity, festivals like this one provide an excellent model for how small towns can harness their local arts and crafts scene to attract and engage visitors, offering a cultural experience that’s both authentic and accessible.

4. Local Musicians and Live Entertainment

The festival’s live musical entertainment played a central role in creating the vibrant atmosphere that defined the event. Local musicians, performing under the festival’s Community Stage, offered a mix of genres that reflected the eclectic tastes of Mantee and Mississippi at large. From blues to country to bluegrass, the music was an integral part of the experience for both locals and tourists.

Music is an essential part of the Southern experience, and for tourists traveling from outside the region, the festival offers a chance to connect with the local culture through live performances that are free and open to the public. Such musical performances bring visitors closer to the roots of Mississippi’s cultural heritage and provide an opportunity to enjoy the unique sounds that have come to define the region.

For tourists, these live performances serve as a reminder of the importance of music in the fabric of Southern life. In addition to food and crafts, music is one of the key draws that encourages people to travel to places like Mantee for festivals and cultural experiences.

5. The Festival’s Impact on Tourism and the Local Economy

The Black-Eyed Pea Festival is a shining example of how small-town festivals can have a significant impact on local tourism. By providing a fun, interactive, and charitable event that highlights the region’s unique food, arts, and culture, the festival attracts tourists looking for authentic experiences in places that might not traditionally be on the map for large-scale tourism.

For Mantee, the festival is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the town and bring in visitors from outside the region, benefiting local businesses and tourist attractions. Hotels, restaurants, and shops in the area all stand to gain from the influx of visitors, with tourists looking for not only festival activities but also the charm and authenticity that small-town Mississippi has to offer.

By fostering a sense of community pride and showcasing the town’s culture to visitors, Mantee is able to carve out a unique niche in Mississippi tourism. For tourists, attending the Black-Eyed Pea Festival allows them to experience a side of Mississippi that they may not have encountered in larger cities—an intimate, hands-on view of Southern life that few other destinations can offer.

Conclusion: The Role of Festivals in Enhancing Local Tourism

The Black-Eyed Pea Festival in Mantee, Mississippi, is a perfect example of how local festivals can play a pivotal role in both tourism and community development. Through its focus on food, art, music, and charity, the event highlights the cultural richness of the region while also benefiting the local economy. For tourists, this festival provides a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the everyday life of a small-town community in Mississippi, offering experiences that go beyond traditional sightseeing.

By continuing to invest in and support local festivals like this one, Mantee can further establish itself as a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic, cultural travel experience. In the process, it will continue to strengthen its position as a key player in the growing sector of cultural tourism in Mississippi, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the rich traditions and hospitality that the state is known for.

For those looking to experience the true heart of the South, Mantee and its Black-Eyed Pea Festival provide an unforgettable, hands-on journey into the soul of Mississippi.