Sunset concert at the Rez promises fireworks in the music and the sky
Jackson, Mississippi —
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s Pepsi Pops delivers beloved standards and toe-tapping favorites to celebrate the United States’ 250th for a doubly historic occasion, Friday, May 8, at Old Trace Park on the Ross Barnett Reservoir.
“This is more than just another year for us with Pepsi Pops,” said Brown Bottling Group Executive Vice President Shelley Brown Floyd. “It’s the 45th milestone of our signature event, aligned with America’s 250th birthday.
“The combination makes this one of the most exciting years yet for Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and Brown Bottling Group.”
Featuring heart-swelling American-favorites, the concert includes Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, John Williams’ Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan, Henry Mancini’s thrilling Strings on Fire and Scott Joplin’s delightful Maple Leaf Rag, setting up a patriotic fervor to fuel the Star-Spangled Spectacular and Stars and Stripes Forever as fireworks light the night sky.
“We’re proud to celebrate tradition, innovation and the spirit that connects us all,” Floyd said. “It is a night that you will not want to miss!”
Gates open at 5:00 p.m. at Old Trace Park and at 5:45 p.m. members of the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) entertain early arrivers with a woodwind performance by aspiring young musicians ranging in age from 5 to 18. At 6:30 p.m., David Keary and Friends share their blend of Gypsy Jazz and Chanson setting a perfect tone for a beautiful evening as folks settle in.
MSO takes the stage for the Pepsi Pops concert at 7:30 p.m., under the direction of Conductor Crafton Beck.
Picnicking in the park is a time-honored tradition for families, couples and friends. Pepsi products and food trucks will be onsite, including Mando’s, Small Time Hot Dogs, A’ha Bistro, Street Dough and Beach Babe Beignets. A children’s area at the park playground provides ample room for runaround fun.
Tickets are $15 each for adults in advance at msorchestra.com, $20 each at the gate. Student tickets are $5 each, with valid student ID. VIP parking passes, $35, access the lot closest to the concert green space with entry through the Post Road gate. Contact MSO Patron Services at 601-414-6005 or patronservices@msorchestra.com by May 1 to purchase in advance and receive by mail. Space permitting, parking passes may be available at the Post Road gate on the night of the concert.
Parking in the lot west of Old Trace Park is free.
MSO’s Pops Concert Series is presented by Keesler Federal, and Pepsi Pops is presented by Brown Bottling Group. Explore Ridgeland and EastGroup Properties are concert sponsors and iHeartMedia Jackson and WLBT3 are media sponsors.
MSO is supported in part by the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Who: Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
What: Pepsi Pops, Pops Series concert
When: Friday, May 8, 2026
5:00 p.m. gates open
5:45 p.m. pre-concert entertainment begins (MYSO Woodwinds)
6:30 p.m. pre-concert entertainment continues (David Keary and Friends)
7:30 p.m. MSO Pepsi Pops concert begins
Fireworks finale at dusk
Where: Old Trace Park on the Ross Barnett Reservoir, 422 Post Oak Road, Ridgeland, MS
Website: msorchestra.com
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