Mayhaw Festival & Pageant

The Marion Mayhaw Festival began in 1982. The first sponsors were the Marion Jaycees. The 29th annual festival took place on May 7- 8, 2010 and is now sponsored by the Marion Fire Department. The Mayhaw Festival is held on the second weekend of May each year, usually falling on Mother's Day weekend. The 30th annual festival is scheduled for May 6-7, 2011. So, just what is a mayhaw? For our northern neighbors, a definition may be in order. The mayhaw tree is in the Hawthorne family, a distant cousin of the rose. It grows near streams and swamplands bearing fruit that looks like small crabapples. The Mayhaw is found in the Southern United States from East Texas to the panhandle of Florida. The heaviest concentrations of native mayhaw trees are found in Grant Parish, Louisiana, near Winnie, Texas and in the Pearl River swamps of Mississippi. The mild difficulty of harvesting wild mayhaw fruit (have your boat handy) is more than compensated by the distinct flavor of the jam, jellies, wines and cakes derived from this unassuming southern delight. One taste and you'll understand why we devote an entire festival to this fruit!

Friday night kicks off the festival with a street dance in the parking lot of Marion State Bank. Bring your lawn chairs and dancing shoes to join in the fun! If you're not one for dancing, don't worry, there is plenty of food available provided by early vendors. Saturday's festivities begins with a parade. Four wheelers, horses, floats, golf carts, and classic cars are all welcome. Bring the kids early to catch all the action with fire trucks, police cars, the Barak Shriners in their mini cars, local businesses tossing candy from floats, and the Mayhaw Pageant queens and contestants throwing prizes. Throughout the day on Saturday, the crowd is entertained by various singers, dancers, cloggers, choirs, and other talent. Activities for all ages are happening all day Saturday. A turkey calling contest, horseshoe tournament, mayhaw spitting contest, egg toss, mayhaw jelly cooking contest, treasure hunt, and a talent show are just a few of the activities you can participate in. You do not want to miss the lawnmower races where high performance lawn mowers are pitted against each other for top prizes and bragging rights. There will be tons of arts and crafts booths for you to browse. We've got everything from woodworks to jewelry to candles to hand-painted items and much more. Find the perfect unique Mother's Day gift. Don't forget to stop by our many food vendors' booths as well. Bar-B-Que, fried fish, chicken on a stick, sno-cones, crawfish, and funnel cakes to name a few dishes. Eat lunch at the festival and take some home for supper.

Each year, the Mayhaw Pageant is held on the Saturday before the festival. The date for the 2011 Mayhaw Pageant is Saturday, April 30. Girls ages birth to 18 years old are invited to participate, no matter your location. More information will be posted at a later date so be sure to check back. No matter what you’re interested in, you won’t be disappointed if you come by the Marion Mayhaw Festival. Come early, bring your friends and make a day of it. You’ll be so glad you did! If you have any questions, give Town Hall a call at 318-292-4715. Click here for a booth application!

Getting Ready for the Festival

So, just what is a Mayhaw? For our Northern neighbors, a definition may be in order: The Mayhaw Tree is in the hawthorne family, a distant cousin of the rose. It grows near streams and swamplands bearing fruit that look like small crabapples. The Mayhaw is found in the Southern United States from East Texas to the panhandle of Florida. The heaviest concentrations of native mayhaw trees are found in Grant Parish, Louisiana , near Winnie, Texas and in the Pearl River swamps of Mississippi.
The mild difficulty of harvesting wild Mayhaw fruit (have your boat handy) is more than compensated by the distinct flavor of the jam, jellies, wines and cakes derived from this unassuming Southern delight.

Mayhaw Recipes

Mayhaw Wine Pound Cake

Combine sugar and butter; cream until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour batter into a well-greased and floured 10-inch bundt pan or tube pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until cake tests done.

Mayhaw Butter

Continue stirring frequently over very low heat until thick, about 1 hour. When mixture flakes from the spoon, pour the butter into sterilized jars. Seal and process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

Order Marion's new cookbook "Mayhaw Country, Second Edition" by just by clicking!