Rivergate Park
our most recent project
Rivergate Park is the charming center of the downtown Tunica historic district. Complete with plenty of seating and an amphitheater, it is home to many free community events and concerts each year in Tunica.
For the first time in program history, the Mississippi Main Street communities were allocated funding through the Mississippi Legislature as a part of the federal American Plan Relief Act (or ARPA) in summer 2024. For their ARPA project, the Tunica Main Street Association chose to update the Rivergate Park for the first time since it’s installment in the late 1990’s.
Partnering with Neel-Schaffer and Bluff City Construction, they removed concrete from the center of the park and added in irrigated green space, along with a beautiful new brick sign welcoming residents and visitors to Rivergate Park.
In April 2025, Tunica Main Street hosted a ribbon cutting for the new and improved Rivergate Park. The 2025 festival proved to be the biggest and best yet with 14 local musical acts, 11 food vendors, 19 BBQ Contest teams, and much more. Rivergate Park is the center of the city and Tunica Main Street is proud of this recent improvement project.
murAL PARK
Mural Park is a small but important pocket park in the heart of downtown Tunica. Until spring of 2024, the site was simply an empty, town-owned lot. Tunica Main Street partnered with the mayor and board of aldermen of the Town of Tunica to reimagine that underused space as a colorful corner park anchored by a large “Welcome to Tunica” mural. This park is a special and important part of the downtown Tunica landscape and has been years in the making.
In January of 2022 the Tunica Main Street program hired Hattiesburg artist River Prince of Prince Design Company to install the brightly colored graphic mural.
October of 2023, Tunica Main Street was the recipient of a planning grant through the USDA and the Mississippi Main Street Association. Included in this planning grant was a rendering of a new and improved Mural Park complete with string lights, comfortable seating, and increased greenery. With this rendering in hand, Tunica Main Street director Laura Withers set to work obtaining the funding to complete this vision. The Town of Tunica, Tunica County, First Security Bank, and Tunica Air all contributed to the financial needs of completing Phase I of Mural Park.
Spring of 2024 was busy as Laura assembled a local team of contractors and volunteers to complete Phase I! Mural Park was introduced in April 2024 during the annual Rivergate Festival. The new park debuted as the site of the “Gateway to the Blues Stage,” giving the festival a second live-music venue right in the middle of downtown. In the Town’s July 2024 State of the Town letter, Mayor Andy Dulaney reported that Phase One “was well receivedduring River Gate Festival” and, importantly, that it created an opportunity to showcase additional musical talent, including local performers. Building on that success, Tunica Main Street has since accepted a $20,000 grant from Mississippi State University to move forward with Phase Two improvements at Mural Park, signaling a long-term commitment to the space.
In summer 2025 Mural Park was awarded the Most Outstanding Public Placemaking Project in a Small Community by the Mississippi Main Street Association.
christmas tree lighting
on the square
Our annual Christmas tree lighting on Main Street complete with hot chocolate, family activities and a town-wide golf cart decorating contest and parade is an event you do not want to miss!
events
seasonal shopping socials
Our shopping socials are festive, community-driven events scheduled during key shopping seasons to rally support for local businesses and give our town an opportunity to celebrate the seasons together. Our local businesses often offer sales, giveaways and complimentary beverages for the evening and you'll find our square buzzing with local residents of all generations.
Annual Downtown Tailgate
There's nothing like football season in the south! Tunica Main Street hosts an annual town tailgate complete with food trucks, large projector screens, and kid-friendly activities to bring our residents out to the square! Whether you're rooting for Ole Miss or Mississippi State, our community enjoys gathering together to celebrate the greatest time of the year!
Movie nights
The Mural Park movie series premiered this year and has quickly become adored by our local Tunicans. Families gathered to watch holiday favorites such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Grinch and Christmas Vacation.
