the barbecue cooking competition. Contestant Joey Croom said the competition gives local cooks an opportunity to participate in the festival with friends and other community members. 

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“One thing about the competition around here at the Mobile Street festival is the BBQ contest. A lot of guys come out, fire up their grills, and go off what they know,” Croom said. “They talk a little smack, and we enjoy the festival. All the friends and the old neighborhood guys go together. It’s just a fun place, man. Very thankful.” 

 

Mobile Street was a center for Black-owned businesses, entertainment, and community life in Hattiesburg during segregation. The festival incorporated history through exhibits and artwork displayed along the street. 

 

The Hattiesburg High School marching band also performed during the festival. Museums and historical exhibits were available for visitors, including displays at the Eureka Museum featuring photographs and sculptures depicting life during segregation. 

 

Latoya Norman, director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, discussed Mobile Street’s historical role in the community and the artwork commissioned for the festival.  

 

“It was a hub for entertainment and businesses, and so when Councilwoman Stephanie Delgado started the Mobile Street Festival, she commissioned artists to create this artwork that is representative of what Mobile Street used to be like in this area,” Norman said. 

 

Food was another part of the festival, with food trucks and vendors offering various options. The event also included a barbecue competition and a pound cake competition. 

 

Activities for children included football and inflatable play areas, while adults attended the performances, competitions, and exhibits. The festival combined entertainment and community activities with exhibits highlighting the history of Historic Mobile Street.