With Floodfest days away, updates to the event that is geared toward helping those affected by the Yazoo Backwater flooding have been made.

A full slate of free activities have been added to the schedule, as well as off-site parking, shuttle buses and payment options for charity auctions. The event is scheduled for Saturday at Redwood Elementary School, 100 Redwood Rd.

The free activities will include a free touch a truck type event from 1 to 4 p.m., and a number of vendors will participate.

“We will also have classic cars and tractors along with fire equipment, law enforcement vehicles, 18-wheelers, military vehicles and more for the young people to get up close and touch,” Floodfest organizer Tommy Parker said.

Evening activities will begin at 5:30 p.m. That part of the event will include non-stop entertainment with auctions and live music. The headliner is country music star and Vicksburg native William
Michael Morgan.

Admission to the evening events is $5, and arrangements have been made to accept credit cards for auction purchases. Parking at Redwood Elementary will be used to accommodate handicapped guests, Parker said, with off-site parking available at Merit Health River Region. Shuttle buses will carry festivalgoers from River Region to Redwood. The shuttle service will be available beginning at 4:30 p.m.

“The City of Vicksburg has allowed us to use the city’s bus to shuttle people from the off-site parking area at Merit Health River Region, and if necessary we will also utilize Sherman Avenue Elementary for off-site parking,” Parker said.

Parker urges all patrons to bring lawn chairs. No coolers will be allowed.

The Long Term Recovery Committee of the United Way of West Central Mississippi will distribute all proceeds from Floodfest. For more information, call 601-501-6819 or 601-218-1524.