{"id":153480,"date":"2025-11-13T09:29:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T15:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=153480"},"modified":"2025-11-12T17:18:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T23:18:56","slug":"hometown-hootenanny-oxford-comes-together-for-a-down-home-celebration-of-food-music-and-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/hometown-hootenanny-oxford-comes-together-for-a-down-home-celebration-of-food-music-and-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Hometown Hootenanny: Oxford Comes Together for a Down-Home Celebration of Food, Music, and Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Oxford, Mississippi<\/strong>\u2019s Old Armory Pavilion<\/strong> is known for hosting the Oxford Community Market (OXCM)<\/strong>, a Tuesday afternoon gathering of farmers, bakers, musicians, and neighbors\u2014but this fall, the spirit of the market will move to The Lyric <\/strong>for one special night of music, food, and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hometown Hootenanny<\/strong>, set for the evening of Sunday, November 30<\/strong>, is OXCM\u2019s first large-scale fundraising event since 2018. The event promises \u201ca big down-home country gathering,\u201d says OXCM Director Betsy Chapman<\/strong>, who has led the market for more than a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe thought it would be a fun way to bring the community together and keep all of this great work going for years to come,\u201d Chapman said. \u201cThis market has grown with our town. We\u2019ve watched farmers start from scratch and build their businesses, and we\u2019ve seen kids who came with their parents now volunteering as young adults.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Chef Erika Lipe (front row right) is a long-time supporter of the Oxford Community Market.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Country Feast, Oxford-Style<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of the Hootenanny will be a potluck-style dinner, showcasing the best of Oxford\u2019s culinary and farming communities. Chapman describes it as an \u201cold-fashioned country dinner,\u201d inspired by the market\u2019s beloved vendor potlucks featuring dishes prepared by local chefs, farmers, and bakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chef Erika Lipe of SoLa<\/strong> is helping organize the culinary side of things, and she says the menu will be a true \u201csmorgasbord of local goodies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guests will enjoy a \u201cfarmer\/chef potluck, with dishes from over a dozen local restaurants and twice as many farmers and makers,\u201d Lipe said. \u201cWe\u2019re leaning into the fall season\u2014expect a soul food harvest feast that won\u2019t soon be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything from classic Southern fare like yeast rolls, cornbread dressing, and cobblers, to comforting international dishes such as tamales, hummus, and lentils will also be offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese aren\u2019t catered dishes,\u201d Lipe said. \u201cThey\u2019re made like something you\u2019d share at home\u2014a real thanks-giving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music, Pie Walks, and Western Wear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Hootenanny won\u2019t just feed the stomach\u2014it\u2019s designed to feed the soul, too. The night will include live music by The Great Dying<\/strong>, and vinyl spun by DJ David Swider<\/strong> of The End of All Music<\/strong>, as well as a western wear contest to go along with the theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will have a big set with some special guests,\u201d said singer-songwriter Will Griffith<\/strong> of The Great Dying. \u201cSo happy to do anything for the farmers of our community. Can\u2019t wait to eat\u2014and play!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swider, a longtime supporter of local art and culture, said he\u2019s proud to be part of the event. \u201cThe OXCM is a unique, weekly event that keeps the soul of Oxford alive,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat\u2019s better than local folks supporting local farms? I\u2019d argue that the market is just as important\u2014if not more\u2014than many facets of our growing city. We should do all we can to ensure its longevity, and throwing a party is an easy way to celebrate the market and raise funds and awareness. I\u2019m excited to spin some records for the cause, and I hope I get to eat some of the local goodies. Hug a farmer today!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guests are encouraged to dust off their cowboy hats and boots or even pull out that vintage fringe jacket hiding in the closet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in true small-town fashion, there will be a pie walk, where winners will take home whole homemade pies baked by local cooks and market friends. \u201cWe\u2019ve got folks in this town who can bake a pie that\u2019ll make you cry,\u201d Chapman said, laughing. \u201cSo we thought, why not make it part of the fun?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A silent auction will also feature a wide range of locally donated art, goods, and experiences\u2014everything from handmade pottery and jewelry to restaurant gift cards and local services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Community at Its Core<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Oxford Community Market is much more than a place to buy produce. In addition to hosting weekly markets, OXCM helps improve local food access in meaningful ways. Through programs like the Harvest Angel Project<\/strong>, SNAP matching, and regular donations to The Pantry<\/strong>, the market ensures that fresh, healthy food reaches everyone in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each week, unsold produce is purchased from farmers and delivered to the Pantry for Wednesday distribution. In November, the market will also prepare 250 bags of locally produced Thanksgiving foods, from eggs and bread to honey and greens, to be given to families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOxford is such a special place because people step up to support causes like this,\u201d Chapman said. \u201cFrom the farmers and chefs to the musicians and customers who bake pies, everyone is playing a role in making it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Chapman puts it, the night will be \u201ca big party like we do every Tuesday afternoon\u2014just a little bigger\u2014in service of keeping our market and our community thriving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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