By Byron Wilkes / bwilkes@themeridianstar.com
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN — As chilly winds blew through the deserted streets of Meridian Saturday, the Dumont Plaza was alive with Cajun flair and live music under an otherwise dull sky.
Waves of Meridian residents, some clad in beads and Saints jerseys, braved the frigid weather to take part in Meridian Mardi Gras.
Shannon Sudbury came out with his wife, Tiffany, and two young daughters, Zoe and Peyton. Even as a fierce wind whipped across the plaza, Zoe and Peyton smiled at their father as the aroma of the funnel cake he held wafted near their stroller.
"We came out and got some gumbo, got fried Oreos, brought the girls to hear some good music so we're having a good time," Shannon said. "We're covered up, bundled up... got some gumbo to warm us up and funnel cake. Can't ask for more than that."
Tiffany said that the family came looking for good food, good music and good times, all of which were in ready supply at Meridian's version of Mardi Gras.
Shannon said that even though people complain about a lack of things to do in Meridian, there are plenty of activities, "You just have to take advantage of them."
Before the celebration began at noon, the Sudbury family went to the Temple Theater to watch "The Princess and the Frog," which takes place in New Orleans of all places.
Vendors lined the plaza, serving both food and various goods. Free gumbo was handed out to passers-by from nine volunteer teams competing for best gumbo. Judges scored the gumbos based on color, aroma, texture and flavor.
This year, the Krewe de Roux'tn for dem Saints, composed of J. Grantham, Ben Snyder and Kenny Jenkins, took first place in the gumbo competition.
"We didn't have a clue what we were doing until we entered two days ago and threw everything together last night and this morning," Grantham said. "The secret ingredient is beer; you've got to have enough beer in you and enough beer in the gumbo."
Zydeco blared from loudspeakers and stereos near the gumbo competitors, but local bands played live music throughout the day and night as well.
This year's Meridian Mardi Gras introduced the first Queen City Jam Session, featuring Dark Sundays, No Requests, Random Theory Revival, Sun Wolf and Charlie O. the Mississippi Maestro.
"It's kind of a chance for some bands that are starting out," said Meredith Rea, who along with John Pollard has helped spearhead Meridian Mardi Gras. "They're all being so nice in donating their time and their equipment to do this."
Because Meridian Mardi Gras is a fundraiser, no participants make a profit. Instead, the money raised goes to the Meridian Downtown Association.
"We just want to make it out so that we can keep doing it every year," Rea said. "We'd love for it to keep getting bigger and bigger, but we just want it to keep going."
