Parade and Gumbo Cook-off Saturday

Published 8:07 pm Tuesday, February 26, 2019

: Gumbo is prepared for attendees at the 2017 Gumbo Cook-Off presented by the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation. The 2019 cook-off features 11 teams competing Saturday. (File/Courtland Wells/Vicksburg Post)

Get ready for the fun.

From food to festivities, there will be plenty to do for the whole family this Saturday during the 18th annual Vicksburg Mardi Gras Parade followed by the 8th annual Carnaval De Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off.

Sponsored by the Vicksburg Main Street program, the parade is set to roll down Washington Street beginning at 4 p.m., said Kim Hopkins, who serves as the executive director of the main street program.

“The streets will began being blocked off early in the morning,” Hopkins said in preparation of the parade, which in years past has drawn crowds in the thousands.

And as of Tuesday, she said, the parade had 32 floats that will be participating.

“This is up from last year,” Hopkins said, adding there will be some that are participating for the first time.

“Golding Barge Line is participating this year,” Hopkins said, and Entergy/Grand Gulf.

Other floats signed up for the parade are the Krew of Blooms, sponsored by the Vicksburg Master Gardeners and the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library.

“They are looking for people to walk with them in the parade,” Hopkins said.

Serving as Grand Marshall for the parade will be Marcus Furniture. The family-owned Washington Street business has the honor this year, Hopkins said, since they are also celebrating their 120th anniversary.

The Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation sponsors the gumbo cook-off, and it will be held on Crawford Street outside the Southern Cultural Heritage Center.

“There are 11 teams this year,” executive director of the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation Nancy Bell said, and each will be competing in either the seafood and non-seafood categories.

Prizes will be awarded at 7:30 p.m. and will include first, second and third place awards in each category as well as a best-decorated site and a People’s Choice award. The first place winners in each category will take home a trophy and $200, Bell said.

Admission to the cook-off, which includes gumbo tasting, is $10 and $5 for children.

“Craft beer, hot dogs, bread pudding, king cake, cokes, and water will also be available, but they will cost extra,” Bell said.

Legal Tender will perform during the Carnaval De Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off, and the event will offer games for kids and a bounce house.

In case of rain, Bell said, the event would be held inside the SCHC auditorium.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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