A post-Mardi Gras “atta boy” to the organizers of last week’s annual party in downtown Vicksburg. Mother Nature unleashed a Saturday deluge, but organizers never let the weather dampen the spirits.

The people of Vicksburg responded as the parade was quickly shifted from Saturday to Sunday — a task in itself to get all the float participants, bands and revelers to quickly change plans. The gumbo cook-off at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center drew more than 300 into the auditorium to feast on gumbo and dance the night away.

The inaugural gumbo cook-off supplanted the Mardi Gras Ball, which had been at the SCHC for the past nine years. Smaller attendance, though, led to the change in activities. Any cook-off — Vicksburg is known for its chili feasts — will draw people. Mix the partying spirit of Mardi Gras — the more than two-week celebration before Ash Wednesday signals the beginning of the Lenten season — with classic Cajun dishes and it is no surprise good times were had by all.

Another atta boy to the people who braved the sunny, yet windy and cool conditions Sunday in the pursuit of plastic beads. An estimated 3,000 came out Sunday into downtown for the parade, originally scheduled for Saturday. Thirty-two floats rolled down Washington Street throwing trinkets and toys to the onlookers.

Weather is the one variable outdoor festival organizers have no control over. On Friday morning before the scheduled parade and with rain chances at 100 percent, organizers were rightfully worried that a year’s worth of work would be washed away.

But it wasn’t. A good time was had in downtown Vicksburg — rain or no rain.

Let the preparations for next year’s Mardi Gras commence.