Media Advisory: Annual Jazz and Blues Festival Set for Saturday at USM Gulf Park

TO: News editors, directors

WHAT: Jazz and Blues Festival

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 30, 2019

WHERE: USM Gulf Park Campus, Long Beach, Miss.

SPECIFICS: Festival attendees can expect to enjoy live music performances; art, products and food; and family- and child-friendly activities during this year's festivities. New additions to this year's festival include an Eagle Fever online crowdfunding project, a Jazz and Blues Art Competition, an interactive children's village, and musical performances by local high school jazz bands.

CONTACT: Jenny Tate, Gulf Park Campus Communication Officer, 228.865.4574, jenny.tateFREEMississippi

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the CarnegieClassification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 35 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 21 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.