Annually, sitting public officials and candidates for public office from the the local, state
and national levels converge on Founders Square to speak at Mississippi’s most
revered political stump.
In 1980, the Republican nominee for President and later President of the United States,
the late Ronald Reagan, opened his general election campaign by speaking at the
Neshoba County Fair. Senator John Glenn campaigned at the Fair in 1983. The Fair has
seen the likes of Michael Dukakis, Sonny Montgomery, Donald Trump Jr. and many
more. Mississippi’s U S Senate and U S House members will adjust their schedules for
the opportunity to address the Fair’s political patrons. The political arena has grown
over the years, with local candidates speaking on Tuesdays in statewide election years
and the state and district candidates on Wednesday and Thursday of the Fair.
Each year, every square inch of space on utility poles is adorned with political signs of
either candidates or sitting public officials. It’s truly a sight to see.