This weekend brings a full slate of activities for the Jimmie Rodgers Festival at Singing Brakeman Park in downtown Meridian.

Friday night entertainment will include the Mayhem String Band, Mississippi Chris Sharp, the Jang-A-Lang Band, and the Spunk Monkees.

Saturday starts with the Jimmie Rodgers Talent Contest at 9 a.m, in which performers like Elvis and Faith Hill have competed.

"Elvis Presley was in our talent contest. He didn't win. Faith Hill was in our talent contest. She didn't win. So it might be better to be in the contest and not win in order to have a career," laughed Betty Lou Jones, festival coordinator.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, the winners of the talent contest will perform, followed by a performance by Santa Fe. Then it's the headliner: Academy of Country Music nominee James Otto.

"I think it's great that Meridian has an opportunity to get some up and coming stars like James Otto to come be a part of the Jimmie Rodgers Festival," said Sharkey of 97-OKK. "Jimmie Rodgers, born and bred here in Meridian, Mississippi, and we get to see country grow up here."

Tickets are available at the door for $10 Friday night and $15 on Saturday night.