40th WellsFest Sat., Sept. 28: Free Music Festival, Big Fun

by | Sep 20, 2024 | Capital/River

The 40th WellsFest will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, at Jamie Fowler Boyll Park east of Smith-Wills Stadium on Lakeland Drive.

A family friendly event with free admission and parking, WellsFest includes:

  • A 5K run/walk at 7:00 a.m. which starts and ends at the park’s entrance next to Jackson Fire Department Station 16 A pet parade at 9:30 a.m.
  • Nonstop music from great bands from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • A children’s play area
  • Food trucks
  • An arts and crafts vendor area
  • An heirloom plant sale
  • An online silent auction

WellsFest is organized by Wells United Methodist Church on Bailey Avenue in Jackson. Each year, the church chooses a different non-profit service agency to receive funds from the festival.

All proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to WellsFest CARES Musicians Emergency Fund, a new non-profit designed to support Mississippi musicians needing assistance with medical costs or other financial challenges. The Fund is based at the Community Foundation for Mississippi.

Rev. Susannah Grubbs, senior pastor at Wells United Methodist Church, said, “Area musicians have donated their time and talent to perform at all previous 39 WellsFests. This year’s WellsFest is a way to thank them for helping make every WellsFest a blessing for our state. WellsFest 2024 will add to the funds that WellsFest CARES has already raised to assist Mississippi musicians in need.”

Since the first WellsFest in 1983, the festival has raised more than $1 i5 million for Mississippi nonprofit social service agencies. For more information, call 601-353-0658 or visit wellsfest.orq.

Third page has photos of three performers at this year’s WellsFest: (top left) Jesse Robinson; (top right) Raphael Semmes and (bottom) Jewel Bass.

Wells United Methodist Church, 2019 Bailey Avenue, Jackson MS 39213 / 601-353-0658

40th ANNUAL WELLSFEST

Saturday September 28th 10 AM – 4 PM At Jamie Fowler Boyll Park, Immediately East of Smith-Wills Stadium
Continuous live music on two stages
No parking or admission fee

TIME: STAGE:
10-10:30 JAMIE & WARREN ERTLE…ROARING 20’s & RAGTIME EAST
10:30-11 JAM UP…CLASSIC ROCK & WEST
11-11:30 NEW BOURBON STREET JAZZ BAND….DIXIELAND EAST

WELLSFEST 2024 MUSIC SCHEDULE

11:30-12 Baby Jan & Jeff Reynolds…. Acoustic Variety… West
12:00-12:30 The Jackson Gypsies… Latin Pop & Jazz… East
12:30-1:00 Chris Gill & The Sole Shakers… Blues… West
1:00-1:30 The Vamps…. Soul, Jazz …… East
1:30-2:00 Raphael Semmes with Jewel Bass & Jesse Robinson…. Jazz & Blues…. West
2:00-2:30 Four Washington… Vocal Harmony (Pop & Gospel)… East
2:30-3:00 Chris Derrick & the Cat Daddies…. Blues…. West
3:00-3:30 Smokies……Alternative Rock… East
3:30-4:00 Patrick Harkins Band… Rock, Soul & Blues…. West

WellsFest is a gift of love to the community from Wells United Methodist Church

  • Jesse Robinson

    Jesse Robinson

  • Raphael Semmes

    Raphael Semmes

  • Jewel Bass

    Jewel Bass