Held each April in the historic Cotton District in Starkville, Mississippi, the festival blends incredible art, music, and food into a showcase event. The festival is host to over 125 artisans, as well as a Juried Art competition and show, Writer's Village, Taste of Starkville restaurant competition, 5K and 1 mile runs, Pet Parade, Student Art competition, and much more. Presented by the Starkville Area Arts Council, the Cotton District Arts Festival has been named one of the top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association,  a Top 20 Event in the Southeast, and one of the top 5 festivals in Mississippi for 2012, 2013, and again in 2014, by Mississippi Magazine.