Gingham Tree Arts & Crafts Festival

Gingham Tree is the Lucedale Fine Arts Club's annual arts and crafts festival at the George County Fairgrounds in Lucedale. Every booth tells a story, with handmade goods, hand-thrown pottery, painted canvases and stitched treasures from artisans and makers across the region rather than mass-produced items, along with homemade jellies, jams, pickles and honey. Food and drinks come from vendors around the Jaycees Building and the arena's concession stands, there is a Kids Zone, and every booth fee the club collects goes to local education initiatives.

Our take: Get there when the gates open, which organizers say gives you the calmest parking and the best selection at every booth.