After torrential downpours Wednesday, rainclouds moved out of Vicksburg by Thursday afternoon allowing for the inaugural “Supper on the ’Sip.”

The event, which was held on the Old Mississippi River Bridge, served as the kickoff for the United Way of West Central Mississippi’s annual campaign drive.

“We are so excited the weather held out,” UWWCM director of marketing and community relations, Kami May said.

“It was really scary there. We got lots of calls to see if it was going to be canceled, but ultimately with good communication and John Elfer along with local leaders in our community, they said ‘go for it.’”

Although patrons of the event missed out on the view of a sunset due to low cloud cover, the ambience of dining above Old Man River more than made up.

“Being out on the Old Bridge is equal to the sunset. We can see the sunsets from 10South or the overlook, but being on the Old Bridge — being allowed on the old bridge, is wonderful, Jennifer Harper said.

Tim Reeves, who serves as the chairman of the UWWCM board concurred, and added, “From the very first time this was mentioned, it was a rock star idea and every time I heard more about it, it just seemed to get better and better. And even though we don’t have the sunset, I don’t think this could have come off any better or been more successful. I am tremendously proud of the folks that put this together.”

In addition to dining on the bridge, patrons also had the opportunity to learn more about the UWWCM 19 partner agencies that had set up tables along the bridge and were sharing their respective stories.

“This event is for them and all the money we raised tonight will be going directly to them,” May said, adding, “So far each agency is going to get $1,000 just off of the ticket sales alone.”

May said 500 tickets were sold and next year they are hoping to be able to increase that number, along with expanding the event.

“At first we wanted it to be just Vicksburg restaurants, but now that we saw this take off, we are hoping to open it up to Jackson area restaurants and also to Monroe restaurants, because ultimately we are on the Mississippi Bridge and this is a bridge to Louisiana. So we are hoping to get those restaurants involved also,” May said.