Visitor Information

• BBQ, Sports, Festivals, & Blues...We're famous for it all!

  Southaven's annual Springfest is the largest barbecue contest in Mississippi. We're also home to the world famous Interstate Bar-B-Q whose fare has been featured in national publications, and we have the largest selection of restaurants in North Mississippi. Every summer more than 2,000 youth baseball teams come to Snowden Grove Park for tournament season, including the Dizzy Dean World Series. AutoZone Park in Memphis hosts the Redbirds and is one of the most beautiful, family-friendly stadiums in the nation. We're just minutes from the blues clubs of Beale Street and Elvis Presley's Graceland, and we're at the gateway to the Mississippi Delta and the famous Hwy 61 Blues Trail.



• Entertainment

  Southaven is proud to be the home of The Landers Center which is a 200,000 square foot facility that hosts more than 1,000 events each year. The Landers Center is the home site of the Mississippi RiverKings (formerly the Memphis RiverKings), a professional hockey team. The RiverKings play in the Central Hockey League and are perennial playoff contenders. They host 32 home games a year from October through March (not including playoffs), with family-friendly activities each game, from Elvis impersonators to indoor fireworks displays.
  
  The Landers Center has also been the venue for the Gulf South NCAA Division II, College Basketball Men's and Women's Championship tournament, and numerous concerts, family shows and seasonal attractions.



• Theater

  Housed in The Landers Center (mentioned above) is the DeSoto Family Theatre. It is a 400-seat state-of-the-art theater with easy access and parking. DeSoto Family Theatre productions in this facility are known locally for lively, well-performed shows. In addition to entertainment appropriate for the entire family DFT provides opportunites for participation and education through audition workshops, summer camps, and student matinees.
  
  The Snowden Grove Amphitheatre has hosted big acts such as Lynard Skynard, Candlebox, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, BuckCherry, Blue October, Saliva, Jason Aldean, and Dierks Bentley. This outdoor amphitheatre has fixed floor seating for 4,000 with additional seating on the lawn for 6,000.
  
  Another venue for the performing arts is the Southaven Performing Arts Center located on Colonial Hills Drive.



• Area Attractions

  Being so close to the big city of Memphis, Southaven residents and visitors have even more entertainment possibilities just minutes away. Sports fans will enjoy the abundance of live games in Memphis, including the Redbirds baseball games at AutoZone Park, and the Grizzlies (our local NBA team) at the FedEx Forum.
  
  The Orpheum Theatre, known as the "South's Finest Theatre," recently celebrated its 80th anniversary. The Orpheum presents 10 - 12 large scale Broadway shows per year such as Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Wicked, while continuing to offer performances from great entertainers like Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams and many more.
  
  Graceland Mansion remains one of the Mid-South's most popular tourist attractions. Each year thousands of fans from around the world flock to the area to tour Elvis' majestic home and pay their respects to one of music's most iconic figures.
  
  Located minutes west of Southaven in the heart of the place where "The Blues" was born, Tunica is a fast growing entertainment destination. Many of the world's top performers are familiar faces at the multimillion dollar showrooms. Plush hotel accommodations ranging from spacious king rooms to luxurious suites are available. Here you will discover the dining experience you're looking for from elegant dinners to casual get-togethers. Championship golf, tennis and sporting clays are also available.
  
  



• Sports

  Of course, sports play a huge role in the life of many Southaven residents.
  Baseball and Softball - Snowden Grove Park hosts the Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series, the USSSA Fall Nationals and the NABF World Classic. Snowden was named USSSA Complex of the Year for 2008. Summer youth baseball is also played there attracting more then 1,500 teams each summer. Greenbrook Park is also an award winning softball complex where girl's softball is played. Over the years, the Greenbrook Complex has played host to the World Series Fast Pitch Softball tournament and to the Gulf South Conference NCAA Division II, College Softball Championship tournament.

  The Field of Dreams was opened in 2004 allowing mentally and physically challenged children and adults the opportunity to participate in league softball. This program is no cost to the players' families for league participation. For more information, contact the Southaven Parks and Recreation Department at 662-890-PARK.
  
  Tennis - In DeSoto County, 17 Tennis League teams are registered for fall play. Clinics are available at the Southaven Tennis Center located on Freeman Lane off of Malone. The DeSoto County Tennis Association has over 300 active participants. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.desototennis.com.
  

  High school football - Southaven's local high school football games are enjoyable to watch. One game that generates interest is the Mayor's Cup, which pits the Chargers of Southaven High School against the Jaguars of DeSoto Central.

  Other sports: BancorpSouth Sports Center located on the grounds of Snowden Grove Park has two 18 hole putt putt miniature golf courses. Indoor soccer, fast pitch softball and baseball indoor batting cages, batting tunnels for live pitching, and a family friendly arcade are also available at this facility. Located at the corner of Highway 51 & Main Street in the 51 & Main District, Cotton Bowl Lane offers 34 lanes and a full service snack bar.
  
  The City of Southaven has a 9-hole golf course located at State Line and Swinnea, and an 18-hole disc golf course located in Central Park. A skate park that includes a park for skateboards and an inline hockey rink is located at Hwy 51 and Rasco Road.
  
  Hunting, Fishing, & Sailing at Arkabutla Lake - Located 15 minutes away, ARKABUTLA LAKE is the nearest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project. It is known throughout the region for its extra large crappie. A majority of the land surrounding Arkabutla Lake is open to all forms of hunting. Amenities include Class A campgrounds, four primitive camping areas, picnic facilities and shelters, nature trails, hiking trails, playgrounds, volleyball court, and acres of public land and water. Arkabutla Lake is also known for sailing and boasts the best sailing winds south of Chicago.




• Seasonal Events

  Each year, Southaven enjoys many community events.
  

  • The Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Snowdon Grove Park attracts families from all over the county to enjoy food, games, and to search for their share of the 50,000 hidden, candy-filled eggs.
  • In April people come from all over to participate in Springfest and The Mississippi State Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, sanctioned by the Memphis Barbecue Network. This festival takes place in Snowdon Grove Park and features a carnival midway with fun rides, vendors, concessions, and live musical entertainment. Springfest is the city's premier event each year attracting over 50,000 visitors during its three day festival.
  • In May, "gear up" for Southaven's Annual Fishing Rodeo. Bring your fishing gear, bait, hats, and lawn chairs. This event is held in Saucier Park (next to Southaven City Hall), and children ages 4-12 can enjoy fishing for prizes and trophies. Admission is free!
  • The Annual Patriotic Parade kicks off the Fourth of July festivities at Jim Saucier Park.
  • The Fourth of July is a big celebration in Snowdon Grove Park. Every year this is live entertainment and an impressive fire-works display. This is a time of good, patriotic fun.
  • On Veteran's Day, Mayor Greg Davis hosts a special program and complimentary lunch honoring our veterans.
  • In December, Southaven's Central Park becomes the site of the Southern Lights, which showcases over 40 Christmas and holiday lighting displays. Adults and children alike are captivated by the synchronized music and lights.
  • Be sure to check out the festive, annual Southaven Christmas Parade as people from all over the city come together to make this event special.
  • Another Christmas tradition is the Mayor's Breakfast with Santa, which is enjoyed by over 1,250 residents and visitors alike. Admission to this event is free, and it is held at the City's Arena in Southaven. The Christmas setting, breakfast, and free photos with Santa make this popular with both adults and children.