Yazoo visityazoo.org visityazoo Yazoo Main Street COUNTY Blue Front Cafe The Blue Front Cafe opened in 1948 by Carey and Mary Holmes, a local African-American couple. In its heyday, it was famed for its buffalo fish, blues and moonshine whiskey. The couple’s son took over the cafe in 1970 and it has continued as a down-home blues venue, gaining international fame among blues enthusiasts. It is featured on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Honouring the Bentonia guitar legacy has been critical for Yazoo County and the Bentonia Blues Festival celebrates the fascinating history of the Bentonia ‘school’ of blues, defined by haunting minor tunings. The icon of the Bentonia–style blues is Skip James, known for playing the guitar in open E or D minor. But there’s more to Yazoo than the blues. In fact, colourful Main Street in Yazoo City was recently dubbed one of the “most Instagrammable streets” in the US with good reason. Then there’s famous literary and political figures, unique art and shopping, family-friendly festivals, Civil War history as well as African-American history and heritage. Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge teaches about conservation efforts, local wildlife and offers many visitor activities. Wolf Lake, known as ‘the Delta’s Best-Kept Secret’, offers a public boat launch and glass-like conditions for water sports. If a good night’s sleep is calling you, Yazoo County offers a mix of chain hotels and unique accommodations such as the Main Street Hotel, Perry Farms and M.J. Cabins at Wolf Lake. Yazoo City’s Glenwood Cemetery, voted the second spookiest cemetery in the US, holds a grave surrounded by chain links known as ‘The Witch’s Grave’. According to the legend, an old woman lived on the Yazoo River and was caught torturing fishermen who she lured in off the river. The sheriff is said to have chased her through the swamps, where he found her drowning in quicksand and swearing her revenge on Yazoo City and on the town’s people. “In 20 years, I will return and burn this town to the ground!” No one thought much of it at the time. Then came the Fire of 1904, which destroyed over 200 residences and nearly every business in Yazoo City – 324 buildings in total! Blue Front Cafe 107 East Railroad Avenue Bentonia, MS Home to the world-famous Bentonia blues, five Mississippi Blues Trail Markers and the historic Blue Front Cafe juke joint, Yazoo is ready to welcome you. M E M PHIS M I S S IS S I P P I Yazoo City Witch