The Red Brick Roads Festival has become a beloved annual tradition in the Clinton community, with this year's edition featuring exciting new events to enjoy.
The first of these was Story Fest, a new event during which Mississippi College-produced short film “Chasing Rabbits” premiered. This is the first narrative film from the Institute of Southern Storytelling. It is also the directorial debut of local author Michael Farris Smith, who wrote the script based on his short story of the same name.
“For me, no matter what project I’m working on, enthusiasm is the main ingredient I’m looking for in anybody,” Smith said. “The MC crew showed up everyday ready to work. They listened and loosened up. By the end of it, they knew what they were doing.”
In attendance was local actor Gary Grubbs, who spoke to the audience on his career. While he did not appear in “Chasing Rabbits,” he has appeared in small roles in various movies and television shows. These include the likes of “M*A*S*H," “Honkytonk Man,” “Silkwood,” “JFK,” “Will and Grace" and "Ray," among many others.
“I think they will hear about acting, writing, the potential to do both and how to do it,” Grubbs said of his part in the festival.
Later on Saturday, community members gathered to paint on the Brick Streets for a “Paint Out” sponsored by local painter, Wyatt Waters.
“So, we had this idea of an art paint out,” Waters said. “We didn’t want it to be a competitive thing, but more like a communing thing. There is no judge, but there is a people’s choice. That was mainly to involve the public with what we’re doing.”
Local artist Lesile Milam enjoyed the atmosphere. She painted one of the buildings on Main Street.
“I’m not drawn so much to the landscape, but I do like buildings,” Milam said. “I like to paint from life. I love to be out with other artists.”
In addition to the artistic activities, there were also concerts, markets, a 5K run, and food vendors during the weekend.
