FEBRUARY 2019 // FREE
Love is in the air ... and Mardi Gras is right around the corner! Hop aboard this train tour of Mississippi, and make your final destination a thrilling Mardi Gras event!
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I WHERE WE MET
Publisher
Jason Niblett jason@myventuresouth.com
Production Manager & Graphic Designer
Anna Griffing anna@myventuresouth.com
Contributing Photographers Jason Niblett Jill Deakle | Visit MS Gulf Coast Keith’s Superstores
Contributing Writers Jason Niblett | Jill Deakle Chloe Marnin Lott
Advertising
Kevin Dearmon kevin@myventuresouth.com
Debra Jefcoat debra@myventuresouth.com
Venture South Magazine is published monthly by Venture South Media LLC. Laurel, Mississippi
Pine Belt: 601-909-0990 | Meridian: 601-453-1377 Gulf Coast: 228-207-1606 | North Mississippi: 662-830-8333 email: info@myventuresouth.com facebook.com/myventuresouth
Š 2018 / All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher. Venture South Media LLC/Venture South Magazine cannot be held liable for errors and omissions. Copies are available at locations throughout south Mississippi.
Love is in the air, and Valentines Day is almost upon us! But along with Valentines Day comesMardi Gras right around the corner! Cover photo courtesy of Chloe Marnin Lott.
Chloe Marnin Lott delivers a 10 season-appropriate poem about love in the south.
A MISSISSIPPI TRAIN TOUR 13
Hop aboard an Amtrak train and take a tour of Mississippi using this handy guide!
MARDI GRAS IS HERE!
From family events to wild celebrations, 28 there is a parade for everyone.
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Plan your next adventure with this convenient list of parades for this Mardi Gras season!!
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FUN & GAMES
Take a break on your adventure 38 with these brain teasers and games.
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Where We Met I cannot speak for others about love and all its pages of complex “ifs” and “buts,” though I can speak of Tuesdays and how little appreciation they are given. It was when we met, at church, and you jumped over two rows of chairs just to ask my name, and the next day we were madly in love, though we would not admit it just yet. Every wonderful thing in my life has your name on the tag, your wonderfully messy wrapping. Love should be simple, and it is. It’s you holding my hand when we grocery shop, it’s your
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smile, whenever I stumble and succeed. It’s our harmony we live, after learning to balance on a beam a thousand miles long. Love is what we have, and what our children will know. Love is a Tuesday at church in Collins, MS. – Chloe Marnin Lott
Chloe Marnin Lott is from Laurel, but now lives in Kingsville, Texas. She enjoys time with family, volunteering with animals, art, and literature.
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OUR MISSISSIPPI TRAIN TOUR
TRAIN STATION
There are eleven Amtrak stops in the state of Mississippi. Continue to read about each of these stops, get a taste of what each town has to offer, and plan your next trainride adventure!
* Population numbers reported in the following pages are based off the 2010 census.
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A relaxing trip along the famous City of New Orleans Amtrak line - the sun shining and the gentle sway of the railcars - is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s also a great way to explore the state and see the beauty at every turn. Coming north Brookhaven is a quaint town filled with unique sites and historic architecture that is sure to please. Founded in 1818 and incorporated in 1879, the “Home Seekers Paradise” is full of rich history that members of the Lincoln County Historical and Genealogical Society have worked tirelessly to preserve. Known for its beautiful downtown that includes a well preserved Victorian District, the Haven Theatre, Railroad Park and much more, Brookhaven is a great place to explore. There are plenty of outstanding places to eat and shop with flavor and style as unique as the town. Some interesting places to visit include: The most iconic site in Brookhaven, which can be seen by railroad passengers, is the “Home Seeker’s Paradise” sign located in the heart of downtown. According to the Lincoln County Historical and Genealogical Society, the light on the sign was first illuminated in November 1915 when the Liberty Bell made its way through Brookhaven. During WWII, the sign was taken down to assist with the war effort and a replica was installed in November 1996. The Foster-Smith Log Cabin, originally constructed in Copiah County in 1825, was relocated to Railroad
Park for visitors to explore. The hand-hewn logs and craftsmanship are reminiscent of a bygone era when times were much different than today. The beautiful downtown train depot is now home to the town’s Military Memorial Museum. The museum is home to artifacts and photos dating back to WWI. The depot is on the National Register of Historic Places. Another building has been renovated to give Brookhaven a modern, comfortable station on the northern side of downtown. The historic Whitworth College Campus, constructed in the mid-1800s, was home to an all-women’s college, and now features prominence in the National Register of Historic Places. In 2003, after serving numerous roles in the collegiate realm and being abandoned for a time, the campus reopened as the Mississippi School of the Arts. The residential school for artistically gifted 11th and 12th graders from across Mississippi features focused areas of study in dance, music, theater and the visual arts.
BROOKHAVEN, MS Est. 1818 brookhavenms.com
Size: 7.3 square miles Elevation: 489 feet Population: 12,520
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Take a step off the City of New Orleans in Greenwood and the area will look extremely familiar for many folks. That’s because the Delta city hosted many of the sites, especially the homes, in the hit movie “The Help,” which premiered in 2011. There are so many sites to see that there is even a special tour available for fans. But, there are many other things that only an historic Mississippi Delta city can offer travelers. The blues, world class cuisine, and the renowned Viking Cooking School are here, just to name a few. Once known as the Cotton Capital of the World, Greenwood still has the second largest cotton exchange with nearly 20 percent of all cotton used in North America coming through the river town. Catfish has also become extremely important to Greenwood’s economy. Nearly 72 percent of the catfish served in the United States comes from Mississippi with 96 percent of that from the Delta. Some suggestions to enjoy a day or more in Greenwood include: DreamWorks Studios announced in 2010 that a major motion picture based on Mississippi native Kathryn Stockett’s bestselling novel “The Help” would be filmed in Greenwood. The city became home for several months to cast members such as Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Mike Vogel, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, Jessica Chastain, Ahna O’Reilly, Cicely Tyson, Dana Ivey, Chris Lowell, Aunjanue Ellis, Leslie Jor-
dan, Mary Steenbergen, and many more. Take the selfguided driving tour and see the locations used in the film. The Viking Cooking School, just across historic Howard Street from the Alluvian Hotel, is housed in a former J. C. Penney building. Space that once held towels and dress racks now features a vast array of kitchen appliances and gadgets and the ever-popular demonstration kitchens. Check the online calendar to find out about classes, sure to please anyone from amateur cooks to professional chefs. The beauty of Greenwood’s downtown shopping district is its alkability, with everything one could imagine within a short stroll from any starting point. World-class antiques, unique children’s fashions, Mississippi-made gifts and art, ladies’ and gentlemen’s clothing, hunting supplies and one of the state’s most diverse bookstores: It’s all just around the corner and the parking is free. If it’s an overnight trip, there are two very unique lodging experiences, both on the extremes of the spectrum. First, the Alluvian is the utmost in luxury, famous for its spa and first class boutique rooms. We’re told if one eats at the hotel’s Giardina’s restaurant to ask for Queen as a server. Or, for the extreme Delta experience, Tallahatchie Flats is a comfortable, yet rustic, grouping of repurposed sharecropper shacks. GREENWOOD, MS Est. 1844 greenwoodms.com
Size: 13 square miles Elevation: 132 feet Population: 15,205
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Known as The Hub City, Hattiesburg is a great stop on Amtrak’s Crescent line to continue to other places by car, such as Mobile or the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It’s also Mississippi’s only Amtrak-served city hosting an NCAA Division I athletic program, the Golden Eagles of the University of Southern Mississippi. Hattiesburg is South Mississippi’s economic hub with locations of a multitude of nationally and internationallyknown companies and factories. It’s also home to Camp Shelby, the largest state-owned military training facility in the United States. Soldiers from across America have gone through classes and exercises for every major conflict here for 100 years. The city is distinctly unique with its variety of neighborhoods, each offering its own flavor in restaurants, architecture and boutiques. One can enjoy the excitement of downtown, the relaxation of The Avenues and Midtown (home of USM), and the modern suburbs of Oak Grove and Petal. Hattiesburg also hosts a great network of public transportation to help get from the train station to other areas. Hattiesburg also boasts an outstanding, all comprehensive convention center that draws visitors from all over the world.
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While visiting Hattiesburg, we recommend: The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby is one of the best military history facilities in the country. Recently expanded and renovated, the museum houses exhibits for not only Mississippi military history, but national, too. Be sure to have IDs for everyone… the museum is on a military base, but is open to the public. Leatha’s Barbecue Inn is a can’t-miss for authentic Mississippi cuisine. Although Mrs. Leatha is no longer welcoming guests, her spirit and recipes live on through her family members still serving the best ribeye steaks, ribs, chicken, and baked beans around. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles are known as being “giant slayers.” It’s unusual for football teams to not play – and win – bowl games, and other men’s and women’s sports are just as exciting, whether on the court, course or diamond. One can also find outstanding museums, theater productions, and concerts on campus. William Carey University also offers a great list of athletic and other events. Hattiesburg offers one of the largest selections of shopping in the state from chain storms to boutiques. We recommend locally owned places such as Lovies and The Lucky Rabbit, but one is sure to find something for every budget.
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HATTIESBURG, MS Est. 1882 hattiesburgms.com
Size: 54.3 square miles Elevation: 171 feet Population: 45,989
Sure the Mississippi Delta is known for its Blues heritage, but did you know there’s a town in southern Mississippi that can claim an equally important role in the genre’s history? Hazlehurst, located on Amtrak’s City of New Orleans line, is so proud of its music heritage that its Depot is home to the Mississippi Music Museum, a facility paying homage to jazz, rock, country, and the blues. Known as the place where trains and blues met, musicians from southern Mississippi, New Orleans and places near and far would travel through towns like Hazlehurst, often stopping along the way for jam sessions and performances. A monument outside the station comemorates March 31, 1858, the day the last spike was hammered into the tracks at Hazlehurst that would finally connect New Orleans and Jackson to the Great Northern Railroad, and eventually to Chicago. While in Hazlehurst, we recommend: The Mississippi Music Museum at the Hazlehurst Depot celebrates the birthplace of America’s music with tours and interactive displays. It’s designed to take visitors back into history when the state’s musicians lives and created their music. Displays include Blue Root Station, an album wall of art, video documentaries, vintage posters and memorabilia, and more. Along with a great collection of historic architecture, the Copiah County Courthouse in Hazlehurst is an architectural gem. Built in 1902, it underwent extensive renovations to restore the historic character of its upper floors. The dome is now visible from the ground floor as the courthouse was originally designed.
HAZLEHURST, MS Size: 4.4 square miles Elevation: 476 feet Population: 4,009
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Jackson is the “City with Soul,” and the state’s largest city and capital is the perfect stop for soul searching, soul rejuvenation and soul cleansing. Whether attending a world-class event such as the USA International Ballet Competition or paying respect to the victims of the state’s Civil Rights history, there is truly something for every guest. A stop in Jackson offers more than 30 museums, more than 300 restaurants, culture and heritage, and an exciting nightlife. There are numerous Freedom Trail and Jackson Blues markers, shopping centers and Jackson is also home to the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo. In Jackson, we recommend: The Civil Rights Driving Tour takes you to the Freedom Corner, the home of slain NAACP Field Secretary Medgar Evers; the Medgar Evers Library and Statue; Jackson State University; the Margaret Walker Alexander National African-American Research Center; and the new Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. For more information on the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, see the December 2017 online or print edition of Venture South Magazine. One could spend days exploring the museums and historic sites in Jackson. Some of these include the Eudora Welty House and Garden, Mississippi Agriculture and
JACKSON, MS Est. 1821 jacksonms.gov
Size: 113.2 square miles Elevation: 279 feet Population: 173,514
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Forestry Museum, Mississippi Children’s Museum, Mississippi Museum of Art, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson Zoological Park, Old Capitol Museum, Museum of Mississippi History and the Russell C. Davis Planetarium. The Fondren District is home to one of the most unique American neighborhoods with hip architecture, shops and restaurants. Nearby, the Midtown neighborhood is another district of great places to shop and eat. Take in a show with Broadway in Jackson, featuring such hit performances as “Dirty Dancing,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Chicago,” “A Chorus Line,” and “Riverdance.” Or, if more intimate show is more your style, check out New Stage Theatre or a performance at one of the several universities and colleges in the area. If one leaves Jackson hungry, one didn’t look for a restaurant very hard. There are hundreds of eateries, ranging from Stamps Superburgers to The Mayflower, Walker Drive-In to the Iron Horse Grill. It’s hard for us to recommend just one place to eat, so plan to enjoy several meals.
The City Beautiful, Laurel welcomes travelers on Amtrak’s Crescent Line. The city has recently gained international fame as the home of HGTV’s “Home Town” series (see the September 2017 online and print editions of Venture South Magazine). Laurel is also one of two county seats for Jones County with its history loosely featured in “Free State of Jones” starring Matthew McConaughey. Laurel is also the home Sanderson Farms, one of the largest poultry producers in the world. Interest in rejuvenating Laurel’s gorgeous downtown district started several years ago and has more recently gained momentum. There are some great established businesses and shops, along with new boutiques and restaurants, ready to serve, and all within walking distance from Laurel’s depot. Laurel is the home of Venture South Magazine. In our home town, we recommend: The Veterans Memorial Museum is a 6,000-square-foot historical masterpiece nestled among the towering pines of Jones County. Founded in 1996, the museum moved to its permanent home in 2005. The museum houses thousands of military artifacts and memorabilia that reflect the service and sacrifice of countless courageous service men and women. Each treasure on display has been donated by local veterans and their families, as well as those throughout our nation and abroad. Just outside Laurel, you’ll find one of our favorite places to relax and play in the entire state. Landrum’s Homestead & Village is like stepping back in time with a replicated settlement town, exhibitions and demonstrations, activities, homemade furniture and much more! A trip to Laurel is not complete without a tour of the gorgeous Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Mississippi’s first art museum. Such a collection of art is extremely uncommon in a smaller city. In addition to the permanent galleries, find traveling exhibitions, art talk luncheons and special events.
Enjoy a meal at Mimmo’s Ristorante Pizzeria, Charlie’s Catfish (just outside Laurel), the Knight Butcher, or any of the other equally tasty restaurants. You can’t miss a cinnamon roll at Sweet Somethings Bakery, either. If you’re in Laurel overnight, there are two very different, but equally wonderful, bed and breakfast locations. Wisteria Bed & Breakfast, on the National Register of Historic Places and winner of multiple contests as the best in the state, is a return to the Old South with a comfortable stay in a beautiful mansion. Sweet Somethings Bed & Breakfast is a new inn, housed in the upstairs of a beautifully renovated downtown building. Hosts at both locations are some of the most welcoming innkeepers you’ll find.
LAUREL, MS Est. 1882 laurelms.com
Size: 15.8 square miles Elevation: 269 feet Population: 18,540
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Marks and Quitman County may be the smallest communities served by Amtrak in Mississippi, but this area is posed to welcome passengers when the City of New Orleans begins stopping in this Delta community soon. Other towns and cities included in this feature have had passenger service a number of years, but Marks is different because a new Amtrak facility is under construction and will begin serving passengers in the near future. This brings a restoration of train travel to the town after passenger service ended several years ago. The area has a significant history, dating back to important Native American sites. According to Quitman County, the area has archaeological sites representing most of the pre-historic cultures. Quitman County has four Native American Mounds listed on the National Historic Register. The Denton site is highly significant as it dates to Archaic period, approximately 4000 B.C. and appears to have been a “node of interaction” for cultural activity throughout the region.
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MARKS, MS Est. 1807
Size: 1 square mile According to Quitman Elevation: 161 feet County documents, in 1968, Population: 1,735 Marks was the starting point of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Poor People Campaign” which was the second phase of the civil rights movement. One of nine “caravans” traveling to Washington, DC, the Marks caravan was named “The Mule Train.” Claims to fame include Fred Smith, the founder and CEO of FedEx, and Charlie Pride, a recording artist and entrepreneur. While visiting the area, we recommend: A drive through the Mississippi Delta is an experience unlike any other anywhere in the world, and Marks is a great place to begin. There’s a scene of amazing natural beauty no matter the time of the year, and one will find himself or herself singing the blues or listening to some classic country while touring the area. The Cotton Street Neighborhood holds an important part of Mississippi and American history when Dr. King visited an impoverished family, getting to their home by boat since the road was under water. He was overcome with emotion and wept after seeing the conditions in which the family lived, and many say this began his transformation into a warrior on poverty after realizing that the father worked hard all day and it still wasn’t enough to provide the basics for his family. There are numerous churches in and around Marks that served important roles during the Civil Rights Movement.
McComb is your first stop in Mississippi If you’re traveling north on the City of New Orleans. Welcoming visitors at a downtown depot, it won’t take people long to realize how important the railroad is to McComb’s history. There is a great railroad museum at the depot, and one will learn about interesting sites people can see traveling on Amtrak. There is an old coal hopper and sand tower mixed in with warehouses and buildings one will see right there downtown. In fact, according to McComb history, railroad executives moved important operations from New Orleans to McComb decades ago because of McComb’s work and lifestyle ethics. This vibrant community is a great place to visit, but is also a perfect destination to explore a number of regional cities, too. Spend time in McComb shopping, eating and seeing interesting and historic sites, or be between one and two hours of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Jackson or Natchez. That MCCOMB, MS Est. 1872 mccomb-ms.gov
Size: 11.6 square miles Elevation: 423 feet Population: 12,709
means one can stay here to spend a couple days and venture to other places, returning to McComb for the night before another day in another regional destination. Visitors will find festivals throughout the year, fantastic food, restaurants and destinations. While visiting McComb, we recommend: The McComb City Railroad Museum is considered by some one of the best railroad museums south of Chicago. It’s home to more than 1500 artifacts relating to both freight and passenger railroads. There is also a beautifully restore steam locomotive with rolling stock outside for people to admire. A visit to this southwest Mississippi community is incomplete without taking in some natural beauty or fishing Percy Quin State Park Lake, Bogue Chitto Water Park, Homochitto National Forest, or Okhissa Lake. A stroll downtown is quite interesting for history buffs, reflecting as visitors gaze upon historically significant buildings and imagining the heyday of bygone days. McComb is home to some great eats, including the Caboose Restaurant, Topisaw General Store, and the Dinner Bell. Shopping throughout the city is great, inviting people with any budget to explore shops around town.
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The Queen City, Meridian is on Amtrak’s Crescent route, and possibly, a stop on a passenger rail line that could one day connect Atlanta with Dallas. Meridian was founded as a railroad hub and served as Mississippi’s largest city for 40 years in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There were once nearly 50 trains per day traveling through this community. The city’s economy has since diversified, and there are exciting things happening across the city, especially downtown. Mississippi State University’s Riley Center, housed in a former opera house, is the host of internationally known recording artists and performances. The tallest building on the skyline, the Threefoot Building, has long been empty, but developers recently began a project to not only restore it to life, but to enhance its purpose as a Marriot hotel. Construction began just a few weeks ago, and plans have already earned the acclaim of supporters and historians across the region.
Meridian is home to actress Sela Ward, country legend Jimmie Rodgers, Pevey Electronics. When stopped in Meridian, passengers will see the restored Union Station which dates back more than 100 years. While in Meridian, we recommend: A visit to Weidmann’s Restaurant is truly an experience. The restaurant dates back to 1870, so one should know the food is excellent when a place can draw customers nearly 150 years. Famous for its pie, Sunday brunch and tempting menu, guests will also be treated with peanut butter in handmade crocks with an assortment of crackers while awaiting entrees. Meridian has been the home to a gorgeous Dentzel Carousel since 1909. Located at Highland Park, this beauty is worth more than $1 million, but still entertains children of all ages with the hand carved animals. The Meridian Civil Rights Trail features stops at the African American Business District, schools, churches and other sites having a major impact on Mississippi’s part of the Civil Rights Movement. The trail ends at the James Chaney Memorial Site. Chaney, who volunteered to aid in the registration of African-American voters as part of the Freedom Summer Movement of 1964, was murdered along with Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman. Jimmie Rodgers, known as “The Singingn Brakeman” and the Father of Country Music, was born and raised in the Meridian area. There’s a museum that displays his original guitar and other memorabilia of his life. There is also railroad equipment displayed. There are also great offerings from both community and professional theater companies, musical performances and the arts.
MERIDIAN, MS Est. 1860 meridianms.org
Size: 45.9 square miles Elevation: 344 feet Population: 41,148
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Picayune is the perfect example of a community embracing its past while charging to the future. Known as “a precious coin in the purse of the south,” the town was named when the railroad entered the area by a lady who owned the daily New Orleans newspaper, then known as the “New Orleans Daily Picayune.” The Picayune was the name of a Spanish coin. There are many interesting and historically significant buildings in the area, including Picayune’s City Hall. According to the City of Picayune, it was built in 1939 by architect Wilfred Lockyer, the same designer of parts of the interior of the Titanic. Picayune has experienced great growth, thanks in part to its convenience to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans. Not only are people investing in fantastic new neighborhoods in the area to get away from the congested areas of larger communities, there was an influx of people transplanting following Hurricane Katrina’s wrath on the Gulf Coast. Picayune is within commuting distance of both the Mississippi Coast and New Orleans. While in Picayune, we recommend: Very near Picayune, one will find the Stennis Space Center. Dating back to 1961 when the United States government selected Mississippi to host the first test facility for launch vehicle in the Apollo Missions, it still has an important part in testing engines for space travel. Visitors will be thrilled to find the Infinity Center, a museum and public education center.
A visit to Paul’s Pastry Shop, the inventor of the modern filled King cake. Traditionally a staple of Mardi Gras, Paul’s offers King cakes for any season of the year. Plus, there is a fantastic café and some of the best pastries found this side of the Mississippi River. Crosby Arboretum is the premier native plant conservatory in the southeast. Managed by Mississippi State University, the Crosby Arboretum is dedicated to educating residents and visitors about the environment. A variety of flora and fauna are present throughout the Pearl River drainage basin providing plenty of opportunities for people of all ages to understand the complex ecosystem and the importance of preserving our natural resources. Love bird watching? The Crosby Arboretum has the best seats waiting!
PICAYUNE, MS Est. 1904 picayune.ms.us
Size: 11.8 square miles Elevation: 73 feet Population: 10,878
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Many people plan their visits to Yazoo County and Yazoo City, located on the City of New Orleans route, around exciting annual events, but Yazoo County is a great place to visit year-round for anyone who enjoys an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Yazoo County is home to the world famous Bentonia blues, world championship winning cuisine, famous literary and political figures, unique art and shopping, and a living history like nowhere else in Mississippi. Guests will also see sites quite familiar after seeing them on the silver screen. Here are some things to not miss: The historic Main Street district is thriving! Brightlypainted, colorfully restored or renovated buildings, most of which were built in 1904, now line the streets and are home to craft and antique markets, clothing shops, furniture, children’s toys, delicious food, and more. Ubons Barbecue of Yazoo is a perfect place to eat some world championship barbecue. They’re known everywhere, and have won contests from Memphis in May to one in Australia! There are great plate lunches and guests will find the best Bloody Mary mix anywhere. Blue Front Café, the oldest juke joint in Mississippi that is still in daily operation, is located in the town of Bentonia near Yazoo City. Opened in 1948, its heyday was the spot for workers coming in from the fields for buffalo fish, drinks, music, haircuts, and more. Today, the Blue Front is owned and operated by a son of the original owners,
YAZOO CITY, MS Est. 1824 cityofyazoocity.org
Size: 10.9 square miles Elevation: 112 feet Population: 11,403
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Jimmy “Duck” Holmes. “Duck” is the last surviving performer of the Bentonia style of blues – a style unique to the area, originated by the unrecorded Henry Stuckey and made famous by Nehemiah “Skip” James, whose songs have been covered by Robert Johnson, Deep Purple, Eric Clapton, Beck and many others. Yazoo County is full of myths and legends. One of the most famous is that of the “Witch of Yazoo.” Legend has it that she returned from the grave in 1904 to burn down the town, just as she swore on her dying breath. Glenwood Cemetery is also home to a mass Confederate grave, and the graves of many of Yazoo’s notable, if not famous, sons and daughters. Author and editor Willie Morris is buried 13 paces to the South of the witch’s grave, whose legend he made famous in his novel Good Old Boy. Willie, who grew up in Yazoo City, was a prolific writer and wrote two novels about his boyhood that have been made into movies (The River Pirates/Good Old Boy: A Delta Boyhood (1988) and My Dog Skip (2000)).
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FROM FAMILY EVENTS TO WILD CELEBRATIONS, THERE IS A PARADE FOR EVERYONE Story by Jill Deakle | Photos by Jill Deakle and courtesy of Visit MS Gulf Coast and Keith’s Superstores
It’s 1703 in Mobile, Alabama, and people are beginning a tradition that would grow into something that grows larger every year, even centuries later. The new tradition includes a festival, adds a masked ball a year later, and begins holding parades several years later. Approximately 15 years after Mobile begins their tradition, the city the event is most associated with - New Orleans - would take up the celebration. Now, in 2019, cities all over Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi celebrate in various ways from public events like parades to celebrations at schools and libraries to elaborate balls with elaborate costumes. If one guessed what was being teased was Mardi Gras, one would be correct. While Mardi Gras is associated with wild parties, alcoholic beverage consumption, and people doing risqué things just to get some plastic beads, its roots actually tie back to a Christian holiday celebration. Fat Tuesday - the big finale to the season - marks the day before Lent begins, the 40 days leading up to Easter when many Christians
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I LIVING IN MISSISSIPPI, PEOPLE HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF NOT HAVING TO TRAVEL FAR TO PARTICIPATE IN MARDI GRAS CELEBRATIONS.
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“give up” something to show their commitment to God and commemorate Jesus for giving His life for our sins. Fat Tuesday is often associated with churches holding pancake days, tying into the tradition of using up all of the flour, sugar, and lard before Lent. Living in Mississippi, people have the advantage of not having to travel far to participate in Mardi Gras celebrations. “I grew up going to the Nereids parade in Waveland every year,” said Stephanie Mixon, now a mother of two who lives in the Janice community of Perry County. “My mom had many friends active in their association and often went to their ball. It is most always great for kids and families. “Their parade has a theme every year with royalty. The floats are always beautifully crafted to fit the theme. Overall, it’s definitely a favorite of mine.” Mixon also enjoys other parades on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. “I also love the Pass Christian parade. For the Mardi Gras novice, the parade in Diamondhead is smaller, but well put together. Crowds aren’t large, and it’s very good for young families that just want to get out and have fun. The D’Iberville parade is very kid friendly, too, with lots thrown out and music.” With Mardi Gras being so popular, smaller towns in Mississippi that are not located on the Coast have started adding parades annually. Five years ago, Laurel began the Apollo Mardi Gras parade that follows the same route downtown as their huge annual Christmas parade. This will be the third year that the Fraternal Order of the Police will be in charge of the parade. Hattiesburg’s Eighth Annual Caerus Mardi Gras Parade’s route is in close proximity to the University of Southern Mississippi and is a fundraiser for Homes of Hope for Children, a privately funded Christian home for children. According to Melissa Saucier, the marketing director for Presenting Sponsor Keith’s Superstores, the parade has grown in leaps and bounds since it began. “Our parade has grown from 10,000 spectators the first year to approximately 60,000 reported via drones and sky cams,” says Saucier. “The floats get bigger and more creative with every passing year. Float entries come from families, businesses, social groups, churches, charity groups, etc. Each float rider is encouraged to gather ample throws to last the entire parade route! We want every spectator to leave happy!” Regardless in which community one celebrates, Mardi
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
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Saturday, February 16
PARADE
CITY TIME
Annual Ocean Springs - Elks Mardi Gras Parade Annual Krewe Unique Mardi Gras Parade
Ocean Springs, Ocean Springs
PARADE
CITY TIME
Annual Lizana Mardi Gras Parade
Gulfport
PARADE
CITY TIME
Sunday, February 17
Saturday, February 23
Annual Biloxi Children’s Mardi Gras Walking Parade Biloxi Annual Krewe of Little Rascals Children Mardi Gras Parade Pascagoula Annual Mystic Krewe of Pine Island Mardi Gras Parade Vancleave Annual Carnival Association of Long Beach Mardi Gras Parade Long Beach Sunday, February 24
1 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 10 a.m. 1 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 6 p.m.
PARADE
CITY TIME
Annual Krewe of Nereids Mardi Gras Parade Krewe of Barkloxiv Annual Bow Wow PAW-RADE
Waveland Biloxi
PARADE
CITY TIME
Friday, March 1
Ocean Springs Carnival Association Night Mardi Gras Parade Ocean Springs Saturday, March 2
Noon 1 p.m. 7 p.m.
PARADE
CITY TIME
Annual Krewe Of Gemini Mardi Gras Day Parade Annual Krewe of Neptune Night Mardi Gras Parade Annual Krewe of Salacia Parade
Gulfport Biloxi Biloxi
36 Q Venture South Magazine
2 p.m. 5 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3
CITY TIME
Monday, March 4
PARADE
CITY TIME
Annual Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse Mardi Gras Parade
Bay St. Louis
PARADE
Annual St. Paul Mardi Gras Parade Pass Christian 11:30 a.m. Annual D’Iberville/St Martin North Bay Area Mardi Gras Parade D’Iberville 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 5
PARADE
STATE CITY
Krewe of Zulu Gulf Shores Krewe of Rex Order of Athena Krewe of Elks Orleanians Krewe of Elks Jefferson Krewe of Cresent City Krewe of Jefferson Knights of Revelry King Felix III Krewe of Diamonds Biloxi MAMGA Mammoth Orange Beach Orange Grove Carnival Assc. Krewe of Gemini-Night
Louisiana Alabama Louisiana Alabama Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana Alabama Alabama Mississippi Mississippi Alabama Alabama Mississippi Mississippi
AREA
New Orleans Uptown Gulf Shores New Orleans Uptown Mobile Route A New Orleans Uptown Metairie Jefferson - Fat City New Orleans Uptown Metairie Jefferson - Fat City Mobile Route A Mobile Route A Bay St. Louis Downtown Biloxi Downtown Mobile Route B Orange Beach Gulfport Orange Grove Gulfport Downtown
5 p.m.
TIME 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 11:30 AM 12:30 PM 12:45 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 5:30 PM
myventuresouth.com Q 37
I
Enjoy these games & puzzles as you go on your next adventure.
WORD SCRAMBLE
Rearrange the letters to spell something pertaining to birds.
WORD BANK Abdomen Abiotic Acclimation Aerodynamic Afterfeather Air Albumen
Bend Biconical Bill Biodiversity Bipedal Birds Blind Breast
38 Q Venture South Magazine
Brood Caching Calamus Camber Carrion Clutch Diurnal Dive
Answer: Nests
SNTES
Dorsal Down Eggs Formation Membrane Migrant Molt Nicitating
Nocturnal Pectoral Roost Sacs Wing
CLUES ACROSS 1. Plural of be 4. Dress 10. Nothing 11. Relating to apes 12. They protect and serve 14. Swindle 15. Show’s partner 16. Lift 18. Raise up 22. Do something to an excessive degree 23. Occupies 24. Power-driven aircraft 26. Indicates position 27. Matchstick games 28. This and __ 30. No longer here 31. Health insurance 34. Spore-producing receptacle on fern frond 36. Monetary unit 37. Sweet potatoes 39. Tropical Asian plant 40. Guilty or not guilty 41. Carbon dioxide 42. Able to arouse intense feeling 48. Earl’s jurisdiction 50. Omitted 51. Heartbeat 52. Albania capital 53. Fashion accessory 54. Interaction value analysis 55. Symbol of exclusive ownership 56. More promising 58. __ student, learns healing 59. Nonresident doctor
60. Midway between east and southeast
CLUES DOWN 1. Enrages 2. Capital of Saudi Arabia 3. Uses in an unfair way 4. Cesium 5. Written works 6. Breakfast item 7. Found in showers 8. A way of fractioning 9. Unit of measurement 12. Sailboat 13. Indian goddess 17. For each 19. Farewell 20. Ethnic group of Sierra Leone 21. German industrial city 25. Measures intensity of light 29. Small, faint constellation 31. Promotes enthusiastically 32. Malaysian inhabitant 33. Ancient units of measurement 35. An unspecified period 38. Frame house with up to three stories 41. Lassie is one 43. Martinis have them 44. Rant 45. Famed journalist Tarbell 46. Opening 47. Round Dutch cheese 49. Archaic form of do 56. Once more 57. Registered nurse
myventuresouth.com Q 39
2 Q Venture South Magazine