City of lights, camera, and lots of action in Canton, MS

Special to The Canton News 

In addition to looking forward to the Old Jail Famer’s Market hosted by the Canton- Madison County  Historical Society as well as helping to promote this year’s Canton Juneteenth Celebration, the Canton  Tourism office is excited to also bring back its Young Filmmakers Workshops this July at the Madison  County Public Library. Tourism partners with the library not only as the host location but also for the use of their enhanced equipment for the creation and implementation of the student projects. The  Mississippi Film Office also partners with the program to provide curriculum and experienced instructors with filmmaking experience. 

“We are excited to be celebrating twenty years of this very rewarding program,” said Jo Ann Gordon,  who recently returned to Canton Tourism as Film Commissioner and Special Projects Coordinator.   Gordon provides valuable insight and knowledge about the film industry, having served as Director of  Canton Tourism for over 30 years before retiring in 2015.  

“Canton Young Filmmakers has been very successful in creating an environment for storytelling,  scriptwriting, directing, and acting. Many of our former campers have become professional filmmakers and have gone to school and majored in academic film programs,” Gordon explained. 

“We’re so excited to have Jo Ann’s expertise at our fingertips,” said tourism director, May McCarty. “She knows the film industry well and is also helping us to recruit future projects and promote Canton as a  sought-after location for movies. She’s already secured four successful films here this year, and it’s only  May. Two are being produced this summer.” 

In addition to the movies and Young Filmmakers Workshops, the final details are also being put into place for the 37th annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Fest. The event is presented by  Canton Tourism in collaboration with the City of Canton, the City of Ridgeland, The Good Samaritan Center,  and the Mid- Mississippi Balloon Association.  

“We’re excited to once again host this fun, family-oriented summer event in celebration of the 4th of  July holiday,” said McCarty. “Balloonists and visitors can once again expect a five-star event including fun flights, balloon glows, delicious food, kid-friendly attractions, live music, and an over-the-top fireworks presentation. We invite everyone to join us!” 

While summer in Canton is just getting kicked off, the tourism office is already thinking about what’s next. “No rest for the weary,” explained McCarty. 
“These events require tons of advanced preparation and organizing. We’re always in planning mode around here. It’s crazy to think that summer hasn’t even started really, but as soon as we wrap up  Balloon Fest, our office will start looking ahead to the fall Flea Market and even this year’s Christmas  Festival,” said McCarty. “And stay tuned for some possible new things to add to your calendar for the rest of this year as well. We’re always creating and thinking of new ideas. We’re just getting started,”  she teased. 

For more information about Canton Tourism, and for details about the upcoming events listed here and  how to participate, please visit www.cantontourism.com or call Canton Tourism at 601-859-1307.