Velvet Ditch Gran Fondo
Saturday May 21
The Velvet Ditch Gran Fondo is a noncompetitive bike ride through the rolling plains of the Oxford-Lafayette area. The ride includes three different routes: approximately 20-, 45-, and 70-mile distances. Proceeds of this ride will support the Oxford & North Mississippi NICA Mountain Bike Team. This team is made up of middle and high school mountain bikers from the Oxford and North Mississippi area.
The ride will warm up with a moment of silence in memory of local cyclist Robby Tucker. There will be bagpipes playing in honor of Robby and other former cyclists who have passed away. Local EMT Greg Surbeck will be on call on his motorcycle, monitoring the ride and performing medical assistance as needed.
Online Registration is available at https://raceroster.com/events/2022/55036/velvet-ditch-gran-fondo. Online Registration closes May 20 at 5 pm Central Time. In-Person Registration will be available Saturday, May 21 in the morning from 5:30–6:30 at the Old Armory Pavilion. You can pay by check or credit/debit card. There will also be a Pre-Ride Party Friday, May 20 from 6–8 pm at the Pavilion for riders, sponsors, and volunteers to meet up and take a breather before Saturday’s ride. Find out more information at raceroster.com, or on Facebook @VDgranfondo.
Velvet Ditch City-Wide ‘Party in the Sip’
Saturday, May 21 at 7 pm
This bash will take place at The Green at Harrison’s and features local band Madrik. This will be recognizing the Destination Oxford Car Show, the Velvet Ditch Gran Fondo, and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council’s 50th anniversary. You don’t have to ride a bike to celebrate! Enjoy a night of music, make new friends with visitors who have traveled to attend the Bike Ride, and enjoy an outdoor concert on The Square. Don’t miss the crowning of the King or Queen of the Velvet Ditch! Proceeds support the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. YAC members get free tickets to the event. Stop by The Powerhouse to pick up your pass.
8th Annual Destination Oxford Car Show
Saturday, May 21 from 8 am–2 pm
Downtown Oxford
This year, Destination Oxford will take over a chunk of the Oxford Square with vehicles of all kinds on display. Free to attend, the event will include a 50/50 raffle to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Lafayette County. Also, door prizes will be given away every ten minutes or so, donated by local businesses like Deal’s Auto Repair, Malco Theaters, Ole Town Med, High Cotton Wine & Spirits, and many more. There has been a ton of community support, says event organizer Jason Plunk.
“The support of Mayor Robyn Tannehill and the Board of Aldermen, by allowing us to close a city street, adds so much legitimacy to the event that we are expecting the biggest and best car show to date,” said Plunk.
Aaron Mansfield Live
Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28
at The Library
Aaron Mansfield is an American singer-songwriter, born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Drawing comparison to Chris Stapleton, John Mayer, and Gavin Degraw makes his voice feel familiar, yet his songs are unique in their own right.
His niche as a songwriter is delivering intimate and thought-provoking lyrics while never losing the ability to keep the song relatable and catchy. Aaron’s songs have a blend of soul, rock, pop, and a country story-telling flair.
Thacker Mountain Radio Hour Finishes Spring Season and Sets Summer Schedule
The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour winds up its spring season Thursday, May 19 at 6 pm at The Old Armory Pavilion. Guests for the season finale will include novelist Jenny Tinghui Zhang, blues singer Peggy “Lady Trucker” Hemphill and gospel singers, The Wilkins Sisters.
The show is hosted by Jim Dees & The Thacker Mountain Big Band with the Thacker Horns and guest vocalist, Mary Frances Massey.
Admission is free and the public is invited. Lawn chairs and picnics are encouraged. Party Waitin’ To Happen will offer a signature cocktail for sale. Square Books will have a signing table on site with copies of Zhang’s novel, Four Treasures of the Sky, available. Read more about this week’s Thacker Mountain Radio Hour here.
For more local events and entertainment this week in Oxford, visit The Local Voice Entertainment & Events page here.
