Playing the courteous and gracious host is nothing new for Vicksburg. Each year, the eyes of the state turn to our city for the annual Miss Mississippi events; so we are pretty good at hosting a party.

Each year, thousands upon thousands of visitors come to Vicksburg for one event or another. It might be a festival, a convention, a weekend at a casino or a tour of one of the nation’s premier parks, the Vicksburg National Military Park.

But, they also come for events that some might seem routine, such as football games on Friday nights, or youth baseball and softball tournaments, or, in the case of this weekend, a regional gymnastics event.

This weekend, Gym South will host more than 400 gymnasts in its annual meet.

Once an event that drew just more than 100 gymnasts in its first year, it has blossomed into one that attracts competitors from throughout Mississippi and as far as Arkansas for the three-day event that ends Sunday.

Those athletes, and their families, will be our guests — Vicksburg’s guests — for the weekend, and it just so happens they might get the chance to see us at our best, throwing a party.

There’s Saturday’s Mardi Gras parade and the Carnaval de Mardi Gras & Gumbo Cook-Off; putting a wrap on the weekend, as Post reporter Cory Gunkel said, with a nice purple, green and gold bow.

All of this is to say that Vicksburg is always on display, always welcoming people for return trips or for the first time.

That is why we remain on our toes, remain focused on improving our image and strengthening our amenities. It is important we continue to invest in our attractions, our facilities and wholly support those who work daily to draw more visitors.

Vicksburg has so much to offer, not only to its residents, but to our guests.

So, as we say often, “welcome to Vicksburg.”