Jackson’s longest-running music festival held Saturday

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Jackson’s longest-running music festival took place Saturday, drawing all ages.

The 41st Annual WellsFest was filled with food, music, and fun at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

The family-friendly event featured a large children’s play area with fun games and face painting.

This year, all proceeds from the festival will go to the Jackson Free Clinic.

The clinic is student-run and provides the community access to free non-emergency care across a wide range of fields.

Natasha Burrell is the chief outreach officer for the clinic and said it was her first time attending the event.

“Everyone we’ve been talking to today is super grateful for what we do in the community. A lot of them didn’t know that we even existed,” she said. “So, we’re just happy to really spread the word about what we do at the free clinic. But they’re just excited to hear that we’re really out there providing completely free services to the uninsured population.”

Associate Pastor Sue Keen Hyland says partnering with organizations like Jackson Free Clinic can make a real difference.

“Partnering with a nonprofit like Jackson Free Clinic and having a festival and a fun day that benefits them is really close to my heart and very meaningful to me. I think that God calls us to love our neighbors, and that is the most important thing that we do. And so WellsFest is a way that we love our neighbors, and then giving back through WellsFest is another way that we do that.”

Since WellsFest began back in 1984, it has raised $1.6 million for local nonprofits.

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