First Ever Delta Rice Festival Takes To The Streets To Celebrate National Rice Month
USA Rice
MERIGOLD, MS -- Yesterday Delta Rice Promotions, the rice promotion board representing Mississippi, held its annual National Rice Month (NRM) celebration here. After a downsizing of the event due to COVID-19 in 2020, the historic event returned stronger than ever in a brand-new format transitioning from the traditional Delta Rice Tasting Luncheon to the Delta Rice Festival. The festival format allowed for a larger outdoor celebration of NRM while also increasing the event offerings for the public.
The history of NRM annual celebrations dates back to 1991 when President George H.W. Bush signed the official proclamation designating September as National Rice Month to raise awareness of U.S.-grown rice and recognize the contributions the U.S. rice industry makes to America’s economy.
Mississippi’s NRM celebration was the brainchild of former Bolivar County Extension Coordinator Dr. Martha Ray Sartor, and the late Bolivar County Agent Joe Love. In 1991, these two Mississippi State University extension agents decided to invite a group of Bolivar County Extension clientele and Farm Bureau members together to discuss expanding the annual “Rice Tasting Luncheon,” typically sponsored by the Bolivar County Farm Bureau. They named this new venture Delta Rice Promotions, Inc. and created an annual NRM celebration in Mississippi during the third week of September.
The first event took place on September 13, 1991, and was a huge success – nearly 800 people attended! Each year, the scope of the event has grown as has attendance, with a record crowd of 1,500 at the 25th anniversary celebration.
COVID restrictions last year brought many new challenges, but organizers were determined to move forward, adjustments were made and the 2020 event – a small rice luncheon set up outside with a true farm to table setting – turned out to be the perfect way to say ‘thank you’ to sponsors.
Continued public health restrictions in 2021 required another outdoor event but instead of scaling back, organizers decided to go big, and created the Delta Rice Festival held on the streets of downtown Merigold. People celebrated the versatility of U.S.-grown rice and showed appreciation for those who work in the domestic rice industry with a variety of activities: tasting rice dishes from local restaurants, seeing exhibits, shopping with vendors, enjoying live music, and witnessing the coronation of the Delta Rice Queen, Dia Chawla from Greenwood, and the runner-up, Dobbs Roberts from Tunica.
“We applaud Delta Rice Promotions and their innovative response to a challenging situation,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. “The new festival format is a great opportunity to draw in more attendees, celebrate National Rice Month, and promote homegrown rice, one of Mississippi’s top agriculture exports. USA Rice is proud to be a sponsor.”