Build The Village

04/06/2025

MomFest was an absolute HIT—and we’re still recovering (and maybe slightly limping from all the running around) 🫠).

We are SO thankful for the vendors who saw our vision, felt our hearts, and still said, “Yeah, I want to be part of that!.” That means more than you know 💛.

By the end of the day, Amanda and I looked at each other and realized… we never even got a picture in our cute matching shirts 😅 If that doesn’t scream “mom life,” I don’t know what does. We were too busy running around, wrangling logistics (and children), and making sure everything kept rolling—typical moms!

We’ve already had people reach out with support, new ideas, and big dreams for the future of MomFest—and just know, we are dreaming BIG right along with you ✨ We can’t wait to do it again… with maybe a little more sleep and a lot more snacks.

Huge shoutout to our amazing vendors who showed up, sat through the wild and wonderful chaos of a first time event, and smiled through it all 🫶 You are the real MVPs.

And a special thanksA Bright Idea Co. Co. for those beautiful light-up letters that became the place to take photos all day everyday! 📸

…And of course, THANK YOUKids Marketrket for letting us crash your party in the best way possible 🎉 We are truly honored.

From our tired feet to our full hearts—thank you. MomFest was just the beginnin

04/05/2025

Alright, Mamas — we’re ready for you.

Tomorrow is more than just an event. It’s a movement. It’s an entry Way full of women, most of them mamas themselves, showing up for each other — not just with their resources and services, but with their hearts. These vendors aren’t just here to promote their businesses — they’re here because they believe in something bigger than themselves.

So even if you don’t need a thing, come anyway, say HEY! Come hug a woman who has went out of her way to help other mamas in this town. Come stand in the middle of this space and feel what it means to be surrounded by a village!

Tonight, Amanda and I looked at our girls — our sweet, wide-eyed girls — and we teared up. Because they’ve watched us build this. They’ve sat in our laps while we held meetings, with babies on our hips and phones up to our ears answering questions and emails, they have seen a community of women come together to help each other.

And one day, we hope they’ll understand why we worked so hard.
Why we showed up.
Why we built this space.
Why we advocated so hard.

Because this isn’t just for us.
It’s for them.

This is our little way of planting seeds for a better future — a stronger, more supported, more connected community of women supporting each other.

We can’t wait to see you.

MomFest starts tomorrow. Let’s make history together.

04/04/2025

When we said we’re building a village… we meant it.
Like, baby-wearing while juggling clipboards, insurance policies, setting up tables, balloon arches, light up letters, and marketing an ENTIRE community event with our kids in tow kind of meant it. 😆🙃

This is your MomFest Founders — showing up, pouring in, and figuring it out in real time because we know what it feels like to not have enough hands, enough help, or enough support.

In today’s world, the need for a village isn’t just cute—it’s critical.
We’ve lived the chaos.
We’ve cried in the parking lot.
And now, we’re creating the thing we needed most: community.

MomFest isn’t just about moms.
It’s about connection.
Support.
Showing up messy, tired, inspired, and real.
Because that’s what mamas do!

We (and our Littles) can’t wait to see you this weekend! Come help us Build The Village!

04/04/2025

Huge shout out to A Bright Idea Co. for lighting up MomFest in the best way possible! Their stunning marquee letters make the perfect statement piece and gave our event that extra sparkle we didn’t know we needed. It wouldn’t have been nearly as bright without them (literally). ✨

If you’re planning an event and want to level up the vibe, go give them a follow — they bring the glow!✨

04/04/2025

🎉 Vendor Spotlight: Parents as Teachers 🎉
We’re thrilled to welcome Parents as Teachers to Momfest this year! 💕

Parents as Teachers is a free and voluntary early childhood parent education and support program available to families living in Lamar County with children ages birth to five.

🌱 Did you know? Children learn more in their first few years than at any other time in life! That’s why Certified Parent Educators are here to support YOU — helping you understand each stage of your child’s development and making the most of everyday moments to boost language, motor, intellectual, and social skills.

This amazing program is offered through the Lamar County School District and is truly a gem for families looking to be proactive in their child’s growth and learning journey.

📞 Want to learn more? Call 601-794-5982 and find out how you can get involved!

Come meet the Parents as Teachers team at Momfest — they can’t wait to connect with you! 🌟

04/04/2025

Let’s clear up the questions about MomFest — we’ve had a LOT in the past 24 hours, so here’s the quick scoop! 😜

First up — What is MomFest? 🤔
MomFest is a celebration of motherhood and womanhood, created to empower, support, and uplift mamas through community, connection, and creativity. Whether you’re a new mom, seasoned pro, or just love supporting the amazing women around you — this event is for YOU.

Our goal:
To connect YOU with resources around town that you may not even know exist! From estate planning to lactation support to therapy and wellness — these resources are here to help support you in every stage of your motherhood journey. And trust us, our vendor lineup is incredible! 🩷💙

Location:
We’re hosted INSIDE the famous Kids Market at the Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center! We couldn’t think of a better place to reach all the amazing mamas out shopping.

Hours & Access:
• Saturday: 8 AM–8 PM – for Kids Market ticket holders only
• Sunday: 12 PM–8 PM – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC with FREE ADMISSION!

A quick side note:
We know some of you are shopping Friday night as part of your Kids Market shift perks — but just a heads-up, we’ll only be setting up vendors tonight. So if you’re shopping again this weekend (or just want an excuse to come back), be sure to swing by and visit us!

What to Expect:
A wide variety of vendors-professionals offering support and services fot you and your littles. Come shop, connect, and find your village.

Where to find us:
We’ll be set up right at the front doors of the Multi-Purpose Center. While you wait in line for Kids Market, keep us in mind — and on your way out, stop by and meet our amazing vendors!

Want to know who will be there?
Scroll down from this post to check out our vendor spotlights — you don’t want to miss them!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you this weekend!

04/04/2025

📚Vendor Spotlight: Porter Law Group
Hey, Mama — let’s talk about something that really matters: protecting what you’ve built and who you love.📚

Porter Law Group, founded by fellow mama and powerhouse attorney Elizabeth Porter, is all about helping women navigate life’s big (and sometimes overwhelming) legal moments — with confidence and support.

They’ve got your back when it comes to:
⚖️ Divorce & custody
👶 Child support & visitation
❤️ Adoption

And now? They’re offering Estate Planning services — because as mamas we can control everything but the future.

Here’s the deal:
➡️ Want to decide now who takes care of your kids if something happens?
➡️ Want to protect your money, your assets, and your wishes?
➡️ Want to make medical decisions ahead of time, so your voice is always heard?

You need an estate plan. And PLG is here to walk you through it with compassion, clarity, and zero judgment.

Don’t wait until things get hard — stop by their booth at MomFest, ask your questions, and take one more step toward peace of mind.

You’re already the rock of your family — now let’s make sure your plan is just as solid.

04/03/2025

Vendor Spotlight: Lambert Therapy Services
We’re so excited to welcome Lambert Therapy Services to MomFest!

With locations in Poplarville, Picayune, and Hattiesburg, Lambert Therapy Services is a pediatric outpatient speech therapy clinic dedicated to helping children find their voice and thrive!

They specialize in:
🗣️ Speech & language developmental delays
🔤 Articulation & phonological processing disorders
🥄 Feeding and swallowing disorders
🧩 AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices
🌈 Autism Spectrum Disorder
🎤 Fluency

Their team is passionate about providing compassionate, individualized care — because every child’s voice deserves to be heard.

Stop by their booth at MomFest and meet these amazing professionals doing life-changing work for families across South Mississippi!

Contact Info:
📍 Hattiesburg: (601) 795-2043
📍 Picayune: (769) 926-2441
📍 Poplarville: (601) 795-2043

04/01/2025

🌸 Momfest Vendor Spotlight 🌸
Madalene’s Moms – Presented by Forrest General Hospital’s Spirit of Women

We are thrilled to welcome Madalene’s Moms to Momfest 2025! 💕
Led by the inspiring Amanda Sharp, this program offers a meaningful way for moms to connect with their little ones—and with each other—through movement, music, and motherhood.

✨ About Madalene’s Moms
Born from the heart of Forrest General Hospital and the legacy of Madalene Daniell, this program provides classes that support moms from pregnancy through the toddler years. Amanda continues this beautiful mission, offering education, encouragement, and a supportive community for moms at every stage.

👶 Class Offerings Include:
💪 Pregnancy Exercise – Movement & support for expecting moms
🤱 Mommy & Me: The First Year – Bonding and development during baby's first year
👣 Just Movin’ – Fun & skills for early walkers
👩‍👧 The Toddler Years – Perfect prep for pre-school
🌙 Evening Classes – For busy moms who need flexibility
🤝 Coach’s Corner – One-session class for labor prep and birth support

💌 Interested? Email Amanda Sharp at [email protected] or check out more from our friends at Forrest General Hospital:
👉 Eventbrite Classes
👉 Follow Madalene’s Moms on Facebook

Come meet Amanda and learn more about how Madalene’s Moms is building a village of support, love, and growth—one class at a time. 🌿💗

04/01/2025

📸 Vendor Spotlight: Ashley Watkins Photography 🌿

Hey, mama! Meet Ashley, the heart and lens behind Ashley Watkins Photography — and one of our fabulous vendors at Momfest 2025! 💕

Ashley specializes in capturing the beauty of motherhood in every season — from glowing maternity sessions to the bittersweet milestone of graduating seniors. Her work is more than photography — it’s timeless, heartfelt artwork you’ll want to hang on your walls forever.

✨ With a high-quality, personalized experience from start to finish, Ashley helps families freeze moments they’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Whether you’re celebrating new life, big milestones, or everything in between — Ashley Watkins Photography has you covered with grace, beauty, and creativity. 💫

📍 Visit Ashley’s booth at Momfest to view her stunning portfolio and book your next session!

📷 Follow along: Ashley Watkins Photography

03/31/2025

🚨 5 DAYS AWAY! 🚨
MOMFEST is happening THIS WEEKEND at Kids Market – held at the Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center in Hattiesburg!

🎟 Saturday is a ticketed event and is officially SOLD OUT!
🛍 But don’t worry – Sunday is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and we’ve still got an amazing lineup of vendors excited to meet you!

✨ Come shop, connect, and learn with:

Porter Law Group

Bright Steps Therapy

MECIC

Crestwood School of Hattiesburg

Hope Clinic

Madalene’s Moms

Gulf Coast Breastfeeding Center

Hattiesburg Midwifery

Sacred Heart Morning Out

South Mississippi Breastfeeding Services, PLLC

Ashley Watkins Photography

Fly Fitness Bungee Studio

Jump’In Gymnastics & Tumbling

💡We know Kids Market shopping is #1 on your list — but don’t forget to swing by our vendor area on your way out. These incredible partners are here just for YOU!

Let’s make MOMFEST unforgettable 💕

Send a message to learn more

03/31/2025

🌟 Vendor Spotlight: Hope Clinic 🌟
We’re honored to welcome Hope Clinic to Momfest 2025—a safe haven for women and families navigating unplanned pregnancies with love, support, and truth. 💛

At Hope Clinic, every client is met with Christ-like compassion, a deep sense of value, and the belief that hope exists even in the hardest moments. Their mission is rooted in empowering individuals with the knowledge, care, and faith to make decisions from a place of hope, not fear.

💬 "Our hope is that God WILL empower individuals to choose life: life for the unborn baby, abundant life through healthy choices, and eternal life through Jesus Christ."

✨ Services Offered: 🤰 Pregnancy Testing
💬 Decision-Making Consultations
🖥️ Limited OB Ultrasounds
👶 Material Assistance
💞 Ongoing Emotional & Spiritual Support

📍 Stop by their booth at Momfest to meet the incredible team behind this life-giving mission and learn more about their free, confidential services.

🔗 Connect with Hope Clinic:
💻 Website: www.hcfriends.com
📘 Facebook: FriendsofHCHattiesburg
📸 Instagram: