Wells United Methodist Church

What Is WellsFest?

WellsFest, Jackson's Original and longest-running Music Festival, has been named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast, has received the Governor's Award for Excellence in The Arts and has received the GIVE (Governor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence) Award. The daylong event features non-stop music on two stages, a variety of food trucks, a play area for children with easy-to-win games and creative activities, an outdoor coffeehouse; an online auction full of bargains donated by local merchants and restaurants, arts and crafts vendors from around Mississippi, and a huge plant sale including unique and pass-a-long plants.

Since WellsFest began, it has raised more than $1.6 million for local non-profit agencies. Although the festival is organized and put on by Wells Church with community volunteers, all proceeds go to a local beneficiary determined annually. Join the fun from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. the firt Saturday of October, on the grounds of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum on Lakeland Drive in Jackson.

WellsFest is...

A Family-Friendly Music Festival

WellsFest is a free, family-friendly music festival, drawing the best groups around. Entertainers donate their time and talent to provide continuous music on two stages.
A PLAY AREA for CHildren

WellsFest includes a huge children's area in which children can participate in easy-to-win games, creative activities, arts and crafts, pony rides, and more!
AN Auction

Visit the online auction to win some goods and services donated by local merchants and restaurants.
FOOD TRUCKS

Enjoy some of your favorite foods and beverages from a variety of food trucks while listening to great music!
Arts and Crafts AND MORE

The WellsFest Vendors' Village has become a major part of the festival experience and includes 50 vendors from around the state. The east side of Jamie Fowler Boyll Park is an ideal spot for arts and crafts booths, nonprofit organizations and others.
A PAW PARTY

The week prior to WellsFest, we'll get ready for the big event with a Paw Party at Fondren's First Thursday. Entry is FREE and includes a blessing of the pets. Participants receive a free treat bag and a St. Frances medallion. All pets must be leashed in accordance with city ordinances.
A Giant Plant Sale

Find some living bargains at the giant plant sale. Organized by a master gardener who gathers and divides plants for a year prior to the festival, this sale always includes some unique passalong plants that are not available in commercial outlets.

WellsFest: Jackson's Original Festival

WellsFest, Jackson’s first music festival, was established in 1984 by Wells United Methodist Church as a gift of love to the community. The goals were simple:

to help local service organizations
to provide a day of outdoor family fun and music, free from alcohol
to show that God's love can bring people together in support of a worthy cause.

The first WellsFest simply featured area musicians, barbecued chicken, a few children’s games and a silent auction. As the crowds grew, the activities were expanded to make WellsFest a unique, “must do” item on the fall social calendar.

From its modest beginning, WellsFest has grown to become a significant, award-winning metro community event drawing an estimated 10,000 persons on the last Saturday in September.

Since WellsFest began, it has raised more than $1.5 million for local non-profit agencies. Although the festival is organized and put on by Wells Church with community volunteers, all proceeds go to a local beneficiary determined annually. Join the fun on the last Saturday of September at Jamie Fowler Boyll Park on Lakeland Drive in Jackson.

WellsFest is the recipient of the 2012 Mississippi Arts Commission Governor's Award for Arts in Community and the recipient of the 2019 Governor's GIVE (Governor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Community Building.

WellsFest has been named one of the Southeastern Tourism Society's top 20 events for several years.