Attractions
2272 North Coley Road • Tupelo, MS 38803
662-844-8709
It’s the ULTIMATE FAMILY ADVENTURE! And it is ONLY at the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo!
Some of our Exotic Animals include:
- Hedgehog Hedgehogs have a coat of stiff, sharp spines. If attacked they will curl into a prickly and unappetizing ball that deters most predators. They usually sleep in this position during the day and awaken to search for food at night.
- Kangaroos A kangaroo can survive on very little water; sometimes going for many weeks without it – most of the moisture they need is gained from their food – grass, young shoots and leaves from certain trees.
- Wallabies A male wallaby is called a boomer, and a female is called a flyer. A young is called a joey.
- “Oliver & Patty” the White-faced Capuchins The Capuchin Monkey’s name was inspired from the monkey’s beautiful coloring. The Capuchin Monkey’s coloring closely resembles the color of the cowls worn by the Franciscan Capuchin Catholic Friars. Their bodies, including the arms, legs and tail are black or dark brown while the face and upper body including the the monkey’s throat and chest area is white. The Capuchin Monkey’s head is crowned with a black area that looks like a cap. The Capuchin Monkey’s beautiful colors are quite attractive and make this animal very attractive .
- “Bubba” the Java Macque Javas’ are the smaller of the macaques with females weighing 10lbs-13lbs and about 20″ in height. Males are around 18lbs-20lbs and 25″ in height. Their tails are about as long as their body length. Javas’ hair coloring varies from gray or dark brown to reddish or yellow when they are adults. Babies are born black.
- “Kiki” the African Lion African lions are born blind and do not open their eyes for a few weeks. They can run up to 50 miles per hour but only for a short distance.
- “Bandit” the Black Bear Although they are carnivores, Black Bears eat very little meat. Instead, they live on grasses and other plants in spring, fruits and berries in summer, and nuts and acorns in fall. Black Bears head for a den in October and sleep much of the winter but they do not enter the deep phase of true hibernation .
- “Gypsy” the Cougar A cougar can jump upward 18 feet from a sitting position. They can leap up to 40 feet horizontally. Cougars cannot roar like a lion, but they can make calls like a human scream. Kittens are born with their eyes closed like the domestic cat. Their baby-blue eyes open at around two weeks and change to greenish-yellow in about 16-months.
- “Sal” the Bengal Tiger (Will be Greatly Missed)
Bengal tigers have white spots, called “flashes” on the back of their ears. These may be used to signal aggression when the tiger swivels and flattens his ears in a confrontation. The mighty roar of a Bengal can be heard up to two miles away. When tigers hunt, they catch prey large enough to last for several meals.
- “Tall Boy & Patches” our Giraffes ( they’ll eat out of your hands! ) A giraffe’s heart weighs an incredible 24 pounds. In one minute, the heart of a giraffe can pump 160 gallons of blood. A full grown giraffe’s neck can weigh as much as 500 pounds. They can clean their ears with a 21-inch tongue!
- “Joe” the Camel Camels do not store water in their humps… the hump is actually a reservoir of fatty tissue… when this tissue is metabolized, it acts as a source of energy, and yields more than 1 gallon of water for each 1 gallon of fat that is converted… their kidneys and intestine are able to hold water… because of this ability, the camel can live in very dry and hot climates and go without water for long periods of time.
- “Zeke, Zack, Zoie & Zelda” the Zebras Zebras can run up to 40 miles per hour and baby zebras can run an hour after they are born! Not only can you tell what type of zebra it is by its stripes, but no zebra has exactly the same stripes.
- “Cinderella & Cruella” the Llamas The llama can spit a distance of 10 feet or more to tell other llamas to stay away! Llamas are members of the camel (camelid) family. An average llama has a weight of 375 pounds.
- Fallow Deer This deer has a spotted coat and flat tipped antlers. Female fallow deer live in herds, but the adult males live alone. Each female gives birth to one fawn in early summer. Though the fawn can stand soon after birth it spends most of the time safely out of sight until several weeks old.
- “Ricardo” the Burmese Pythons When young Burmese Pythons spend much of their time in the trees. When they mature and their size and weight make tree climbing unwieldy, they transition to mainly ground-dwelling. They are also excellent swimmers, and can stay submerged for up to 30 minutes before surfacing for air.
- Coatimundi
Primarily omnivorous, coatis usually seek out fruits and invertebrates. Coatis eat palms, eggs, larval beetles, scorpions, centipedes, spiders, ants, termites, lizards, small mammals, rodents, and carrion when it is available. They infrequently take chickens. - Exotic Birds
- Emus Emus live in small mobs and feast on a simple diet of grasses, seeds, fruit, flowers and small insects. They drink water regularly, at least once a day in winter and twice a day in summer and sometimes drink up to four gallons a day. Therefore they can usually be found within walking distance of water. When drinking they can take up to 70 mouthfuls of water and they lift their head after each one.
- Yaks Yaks possess great lung capacity so they can absorb more oxygen. Their digestive system is also designed to keep them warm.
- African Turtles Louie, Asteroid and Turtlie these were named by Elizah Thompson. Thank you Elizah for giving our turtles their names.
- Water Buffalo The size of a water buffalo measures to about 5-6 feet shoulder height. On an average, an adult water buffalo weighs about 1100-2000 pounds. The main distinguishing features between of a male water buffalo are presence of deep ridges on the body and long backward curving, crescent shaped horns.
Petting Zoo
Our Petting zoo has a variety of different animals. With turkeys, pygmy goats, sheep, pot bellied pigs, “Lucy” the miniature cow, “Ellie” the fallow deer, and some miniature horses. You can even hand-feed our giraffes, “Tall Boy” and “Patches”. Don’t forget your feed bags for only $1.00 at the gift shop! These are only a few of the animals that we have in our petting zoo.
We also have other animals that can be seen on your walk through the zoo but cannot be touched. Bandit the Black Bear, Kiki the African Lion, Ozzie the Ball Python, Oliver the Capuchin Monkey, and Gypsy the Cougar are some of our more popular animals for viewing. On the Bison tour, you can see the buffalo, zebras, camel, yak, as well as many other animals.
Rides
| At the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo, we have some excellent rides for you and your family to participate in. | |
| PONY RIDES | |
| We have Pony Rides for younger children (60lbs and under), and guided Horse Trail Rides for the whole family to ride together! | |
| OPEN-AIR TROLLEY | |
| Enjoy an interesting way to view the Bison and other animals on the open-air Trolley or Monster Bison Bus whichever is available. | |
| MONSTER BISON BUS TOUR | |
| Take a tour on the Monster bus or open-air trolley, whichever is available, where you come face to face with Bison and other animals. |
Facilities
| While visiting the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo you are welcomed and encouraged to enjoy our many facilities.Our gift shop is open during all park hours to provide you with refreshments and present you with an array of souvenirs to commemorate your trip. Just outside we have a playground for the children and, of course, a place for the adults to relax. When you are ready to begin your guided tour through Buffalo Park our Monster Bison Bus will take you through while giving you the history of not only our park but also the history of the buffalo and some Native American facts. Pack up your tents and camping gear .we’re going camping! A $100 reservation fee and $9.00 per person fee will secure Individuals or Groups a night spent camping at the Chickasaw Indian Village site. Come join us at the park with your gear by 4:00 or 5:00 pm (weather permitting) and set up camp to enjoy an evening on this fantastic site. Your admission fee covers a park tour via trolley or bus, a visit to the petting zoo, and a tour of the old town fort, playgrounds, gift shop, and reptile house! Camping is scheduled to end by 9:00 am the following morning. So, pack up and go camping with us! |
| Admission Rates |
| Admission$11.00Children Under 2 years free senior Citizens (65 years or older)$9.00 |
| Drive-Thru the Park Tour (Winter Months Only) |
| All Week$10.00/car |
| Pony Rides |
| Per Child$3.00(Up to 6 YRS or under 60 lbs) |
| Guided Trail Rides |
| Per Person$12.50April 1st – May 31st Weekends(and holidays) (weather permitting)June 1st – July 31st Thursday – Sunday (and holidays) (weather permitting)August 1st – October 31st Weekends (and holidays) (weather permitting) |
| Bison Bus Rides |
| Per Person$3.00The last bus ride goes out 1 hour before closing. |
| Open-Air Trolley Rides |
| Per Person$3.00(same route as the Bison bus tour)The last trolley ride goes out 1 hour before closing. |
| Feed For Animals |
| Feed is available for purchase in the gift shop for $1.00 Per Bag |
| Gifts $1.00 and up |
| T-shirts $12.00 |
| Group Rates: |
| (15 or more: church, school, etc..)Per Person$9.00INCLUDES: Petting zoo & exotic animals Picnic/Playground area10% off Trolley OR Bus Tour |
| Membership Rates: |
| Per Family (2 adults and up to 4 children)$150.00Includes General Admission, Bison Tour, and Pony Rides, 20% off Birthday Party, 10% off Special EventsPark HoursWEATHER PERMITTINGMonday – Saturday 9 am – 4 pmSunday 11 am – 4 pm*Holiday Schedule*OPEN: Thanksgiving & New Year’s DayCLOSED: Christmas Day |
TOWN OF WOODLAND
The Town of Woodland, Mississippi, “The Little Town that Can,” is located in the southwest corner of Chickasaw County on Highway 15, and exemplifies great town spirit with projects, special theme events and accomplishments geared to excite and please all citizens of the town. Town officials along with volunteers create projects, decorations, and community fun events throughout the year. Events include service projects and community spirited social gatherings. Decorations adorn the town each month signifying the monthly event/project. At Christmas time, the town comes alive with multitudes of bright lights everywhere as droves of vehicles are guided through this northeast town in Mississippi.
In 2009, the Town of Woodland was awarded the Mississippi Municipal League’s Excellence Award in the City Spirit Category at the MML Annual Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Town of Woodland was adorned during 2008 with monthly activities, decorations, and community events as the townspeople came together in support of each other.
In spite of being the smallest incorporated town in Chickasaw County, and even being the seventeenth smallest town in Mississippi, the spirit of “The Little Town that Can”, Woodland, has exemplified true-blue American spirit, Mississippi hospitality, and a spirit of fellowship. The Citizens of Woodland, all races, genders, and ethnic backgrounds, should be recognized as the “best of the best” of all Mississippi towns for their multitude of achievements.
HOUSTON SPRING & FALL FLYWHEEL FESTIVALS &
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FLYWHEEL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
Fun for all ages, free admission, family-oriented entertainment!
The Houston Spring and Fall Flywheel Festivals & Mississippi Valley Flywheel Association meetings are held the last full weekend of April and the last full week-end of September each year. Over 5,000 persons attend this two-day in the spring; these are family oriented events held at the Joe Brigance Park, 635 Starkville Road in Houston, Mississippi.
On Friday and Saturday of each festival, antique tractors and engines are on display in the park as well as arts and crafts are displayed and sold. A fabulous food court and live entertainment take center stage and welcome young and old alike. Take advantage of the Catfish Supper held at the Spring Festival on Friday night from 4 to 7 sponsored by the Houston Touchdown Club. Take advantage of the Pancake Breakfast early on Saturday morning to eat pancakes at the Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Houston Bank Boosters in the Houston Civic Center. Runners, joggers, and walkers take their mark for the Pink Ribbon 5 K Run at 8 sponsored by Team Hope.
Opening Ceremonies of the Mississippi Valley Flywheel Association begin promptly at 9 with the Salute to the Flag and Star Spangled Banner. President Jimmy Sanderson and Vice-President Greg Flint of the Mississippi Valley Flywheel Association with Harry Collins, Secretary-Treasurer will conduct the business of the association.
The Parade of Power with antique tractors will leave from the park at 9:30 to encircle downtown Houston.
Demonstrations and events in the park include steam and diesel engines, demonstrations of hominy, grist mill, lard, lye soap and ice cream powered by flywheels, and an antique tractor pull and steel wheel tractor pull. Don’t miss the anvil shot at 11 am on Friday and 1 pm on Saturday!
The GOLD sponsor of the Festival is Chickasaw Equipment Company, located at 132 CR 31 in Houston, MS.-telephone number 662.456.3391 . Other sponsors include the following: Chickasaw Development Foundation, Chickasaw Farm Services, City of Houston, Grocers Pride, Mississippi Valley Flywheel, WCPC, WFCA, and WTVA.
The website for the Mississippi Valley Flywheel Association is www.msflywheelers.com.
2012 Flywheel Festival
Houston Homecoming
4th of July Celebration on Pinson Square
Celebrate Freedom – Honor Veterans
The Houston Homecoming began back in 1988 and has grown into a community event that draws people of all ages and walks of life to join in the spirit of fun and honor the nation’s birth while celebrating freedom and honoring all veterans!
Houston’s veterans are urged to climb aboard the Veteran’s Express and allow the community to honor them for a job well done. The annual Independence Day celebration and parade starts at the Houston Lower Elementary School with veterans seated in a special wagon that is pulled to Pinson Square. “This community has a strong history of recognizing and appreciating those who have served in the military,” said Rex Sanderson of American Legion Post No. 95. “We feel it is important to remember those who served and especially remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Children are encouraged to dress up their bikes, trikes, wagons, or other mode of transportation in red, white, and blue and participate in the annual parade, as well.
Gospel music is always a mainstay for Homecoming and local and area groups are enjoyed each year and have included the following: NASH STREET Band, Kay Bain, Rubber Soul, Swing Shift, Evening Show Bank, Paige Horn, Molly May, Kim Poteet, Misty Rea, Bobby Hood, Mitchell Johnson, Danny Watkins, Jones Brothers, Shining Stars of Bruce, Morgan and Morgan, Hearts in Service, Front Porch Rockers, to name only a few.
Music draws many adult visitors during the Homecoming while children’s games and activities bring a whole different dynamic to downtown Houston. Every year inflatable slides, jumpers and a rock wall are featured for children’s enjoyment and at no charge.
Local vendors are invited to set up food and drink tents, also at no charge.
An amazing Fireworks Sparkle in the evening sky over the celebration occurs shortly after 9 pm which can be viewed for miles around!
Offering a little something for everyone, Houston Homecoming is one event that is not to be missed. Come join the fun!