Experience Mardi Gras Meridian-style

By By Penny Randall / staff writer
Feb. 20, 2004
A taste of New Orleans' Mardi Gras travels up to Meridian tonight for the Little Mardi Gras Block Party.
The festivities are from 6 p.m.-11:30 p.m., in downtown Meridian's Dumont Plaza.
Opening entertainment will be provided by the local band the House Rockers at 6 p.m. followed by zydeco musician Rosie Ledet who is set to take the stage at 8 p.m.
Ledet, a Louisiana native, has performed throughout the United States, Canada and in four European countries.
She has appeared at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival, Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Southwest Zydeco Festival and the St. Louis Blues Festival in Fredrickton, N.D.
One of only a few women in Zydeco, Ledet also writes and sings some of her own material in Creole French.
Prior to the evening's entertainment, a Courir Du Mardi Gras parade will strut through downtown Meridian beginning at noon. Parade participants will collect food items from businesses for LOVE's Kitchen. The public can bring canned goods to any downtown business and parade volunteers will pick them up.
Admission to the block party is free and concessions will be available.
Sponsors for the 2004 block party include the city of Meridian Main Street, Meridian/Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau, the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, the East Mississippi Business Development Corp., the Meridian Downtown Association, Meridian Redevelopment Authority, Budweiser, Coca Cola, East Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Great Southern National Bank, Trustmark National Bank, Insurance Solutions and BankPlus.
For more information, call the tourism bureau at 482-8001.