The show will go on this weekend

The show will go on at Citizen’s Lodge next weekend, despite heavy rains that drenched the venue last week and the additional storm that blew through on Monday.
More rain is also possible this Saturday, the biggest day of the Marianna Arts Festival and BBQ Cook-Off, also known more informally as the “Paint and Pork Fest.”
But organizers are hoping for a successful event all the same.
The cooks, the artists, the vendors and the entertainers are still planning to do their part to make that happen.
Jonny Lipford, who plays wooden flutes, may have the most to worry about in terms of the weather — heavy wind can be his worst enemy.
If that becomes an issue, Lipford said he’ll have to use his body to keep the wind from playing his instrument for him.
“You have to angle yourself sometimes when the wind is coming at you,” he said. “I might have to play with my back to the audience once in a while.”
Nevertheless, the Greenwood-area native is enthused about the opportunity to play for his home crowd.
Well known in other states, and particularly in Native American venues, Lipford’s following nationwide got another recent boost when he won a Native E Music Award.
He submitted his self-penned “Chosen Path” in the Spirit of the People division, and his instrumental offering won. He accepted his award at a ceremony in New Mexico last September, sharing the honor with singer-songwriter J.D. Nash, who also won in that category. The two had competed against five other nominees.
Lipford is set to perform at 4 p.m. on the main stage Saturday, April 18.
He and his mother Lynn Lipford spend last Saturday putting up fliers around Jackson County to promote his appearance at the festival. He said Monday that he hoped it would help put him on the map locally.
“I performed there last year, but it was kind of a last minute thing, so I didn’t get the same exposure I’m getting ahead of time this year. I’m really excited about having a place to play in my home community.”
Lipford said he will play the song that won him his award, along with some music off his first two CDs, and songs from the one he plans to release later this year.
The local festival kicks off Friday at noon and goes until 10 p.m. that night. Fireworks will be lit at 7 p.m.
The festival cranks up again at 9 a.m. Saturday and goes until 7 p.m.
Entertainers include a local high school jazz band,  school choirs, a folk singer, gospel, country and southern rock bands, square dancers, studio dance troupes and others.
On Saturday, 20 professional teams will vie for a coveted spot in Tennessee’s famed Memphis in May cook-off. Amateur cooks will also fire up their grills for bragging rights in their own division.
Civic clubs and private businesses will be selling an array of food throughout the festival,  and arts and crafts vendors will offer a wide variety of wares.