Since 1917, the Clarksdale Chamber of Commerce has been the leader in promoting business and business interests in Clarksdale and Coahoma County. Today, as a part of the Crossroads Economic Partnership, the Clarksdale Chamber of Commerce offers its members and the community a broad variety of programs and events, as well as sponsoring Clarksdale’s premier musical and cultural festivals. The Clarksdale Chamber is led by a board of dedicated volunteers who, each year, donate their time and vigor to provide our community with meaningful programs and events, creating a more fulfilling experience for Clarksdale and Coahoma County residents and visitors. The Clarksdale and Cohoama County Chamber of Commerce is funded through business and individual memberships, as well as the significant contributions of the City of Clarksdale, Clarksdale Public Utilities, and the Economic Development Authority of Coahoma County.

EVENTS

Annual Chamber Banquet
Each Year the Clarksdale Chamber of Commerce host our Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet for our members. Included in this event is a presentation for our Chamber Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and a featured speaker.

Annual Christmas Parade
Our Christmas Festival Parade happens every December and takes place in Downtown Clarksdale. The parade consists of local bands, floats, and many marching groups and is concluded with a fireworks display off the Second Street bridge.

Fridays at the Stage
On the first Friday of the month of May and continuing each Friday during the month, the Clarksdale Chamber of Commerce host its Fridays at the Stage concert series. Every week a new musical act takes the stage to perform and welcome the arrival of the Summer months.

PROGRAMS

Youth Leadership Clarksdale
Youth Leadership Clarksdale is a program hosted by the Clarksdale Chamber of Commerce.  Each year the Chamber selects 25 tenth and eleventh grade students from Coahoma County Schools. These students are then exposed to a variety of leadership styles in order to encourage a greater understanding of leadership.

SPONSORSHIPS

Juke Joint Festival
The Juke Joint festival is Clarksdale’s premier festival of the year. It happens each spring and is attended by a global audience. The Juke Joint Festival is “half blues festival, half small-town fair, and all about the Delta.” It celebrates Clarksdale’s past and living history by presenting over 100 blues acts including many Delta legends! The Juke Joint festival is Truly one of a kind and has been written about in the New York Times and seen on the PBS Newshour. Come experience the Blues!

Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival
The first Sunflower River Blues Festival took place in 1988 and was funded primarily by Clarksdale’s downtown merchants and organized by Jim O’Neal and Dr. Patricia Johnson. It featured dozens of musicians performing on outdoor stages on the banks of the Sunflower River beneath the Riverside Recreation Center and in the open space between Sunflower and Delta Avenues. The Sunflower is a siter festival of the International Notodden Festival in Norway. The Sunflower River Blues & Gospel festival will return August 13-15, 2021.

Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival
The annual Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival is hosted by Coahoma County College. The festival includes interactive workshops, scholarly presentations and talks, along with performances of Williams’ work.

Live from Clarksdale
Live from Clarksdale is an organization seeking to grow Clarksdale’s audience via social media platforms and live concerts. Live from Clarksdale streams Live Blues, 7 nights a week until you can come to Clarksdale in person to experience yourself! Find them on Facebook!