According to Meredith Rea of the Meridian Downtown Association, the city will issue the permits needed to go ahead with the Meridian Mardi Gras celebration today. The celebration will be held Feb. 6 at Dumont Plaza and will feature music, food vendors, and a gumbo cook-off. Admission will be free. For more, pick up a copy of tomorrow’s Meridian Star and keep visiting www.meridianstar.com.