A public initiative for a downtown worth investing in.
The Ferriday Downtown Entertainment District is a dedicated body working to restore, activate, and grow the heart of our city.
About the Ferriday Downtown Entertainment District
The Ferriday Downtown Entertainment District is committed to revitalizing downtown Ferriday into a vibrant destination for culture, business, music, food, tourism, and community pride.
Led by our Board of Commissioners, our vision is to transform downtown into a thriving center of activity that attracts residents, visitors, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, and creative professionals. Over the next five years, we will focus on improving the appearance and walkability of the district, restoring and activating downtown buildings, recruiting new businesses, supporting local events, and creating opportunities within the entertainment economy.
Ferriday has a rich cultural legacy connected to music, faith, creativity, and performance. With historic ties to influential figures such as Jerry Lee Lewis, William Haney, Mickey Gilley, and Jimmy Swaggart, our community has a unique story to tell. The Entertainment District is working to build on that legacy by positioning Ferriday as a regional, state, and national destination for live music, festivals, cultural tourism, film, production, and small business growth.
Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming, and inspiring downtown district where businesses can grow, visitors can enjoy memorable experiences, and young creatives can see a future for themselves in music, film, production, hospitality, and entrepreneurship.
Our Plan
The Ferriday Downtown Entertainment District will focus on long term revitalization through strategic investment, business recruitment, cultural programming, and strong partnerships. Our plan is to create a downtown environment that honors Ferriday's history while building a stronger future for the next generation.
Keys to Success
- Renovate and restore downtown buildings
- Recruit restaurants, retail, entertainment, and service based businesses
- Create tourist attractions that highlight Ferriday's history and culture
- Become a recognized live music destination
- Establish signature events that attract visitors throughout the year
- Build opportunities in film, music, production, and entertainment
- Partner with public agencies, private businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations
Mission
Revitalize downtown Ferriday by supporting redevelopment, recruiting businesses, expanding tourism, and programming cultural and community life.
Vision
A downtown that is occupied, walkable, culturally vibrant, and recognized as the heart of Concordia Parish and the Mississippi Delta region.
Approach
Public-private partnership, transparent governance, grant-based building investment, and consistent downtown activation.
Where we're focused.
Building Restoration
Activating vacant and underused historic structures through grants, partnerships, and direct recruitment.
Business Recruitment
Bringing in retail, food and beverage, music venues, and service businesses that match downtown's character.
Cultural Programming
Live music, vendor markets, seasonal festivals, and heritage-driven events.
Tourism Development
Positioning Ferriday as a music-heritage and Delta cultural destination.