By Staff
FAIR FAVORITE Aletha Head of Lindsey Lemonade Stand peels onions at the Neshoba County Fair to make Polish sausage, just as she has done every summer for 48 years. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Scottye Carter/The Meridian Star
July 24, 2001
A Neshoba County Fair tradition continues Wednesday when the East Mississippi Development Corporation sponsors the annual Meridian Day program at historic Founders Square.
Fair manager Doug Johnson said he is excited: "We always look forward to having them up here. It's always a really good, informative program."
The hour-long program begins at 11 a.m. under the tin roof of the Founders Square pavilion. Organizers have scheduled entertainment, speeches, and other attractions including performances by Meridian and Lauderdale County residents.
Angela White, who was in the Meridian Little Theater production of "Always Patsy Cline," will sing. Meridian Junior Miss Jamie Broadhead, Lauderdale County Junior Miss Carrie Jones and Miss Dixie Kim Blackwell will help distribute door prizes.
Suzie Sulkowski, EMBDC's community development coordinator, said that the program also will include opening remarks by EMBDC officials. She said that Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith and Councilman George Thomas also will speak.
Sulkowski said that businesses and organizations from the Meridian area will have exhibits to showcase their services. She said that Alliance Health, Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center, Riley Hospital and Rush Health Systems will do health screening.
Displays will include those from the city of Meridian, the Meridian Arts Council, Keep America Beautiful, the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau, the State Games of Mississippi, the Lauderdale County Agricultural Center, the Grand Opera House, Meridian Community College and NAS Meridian.
Sulkowski said that the program's "multitude of sponsors" will give away door prizes during the program. She said the Meridian Day program has been a part of the Fair for many years.
Meridian Day takes place on the first day of the fair's two most popular days. Statewide and local elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering and Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, visit the fair Wednesday and Thursday for old-fashioned, political speeches.
Also at the fair on Wednesday, a youth talent contest is set for 3 p.m. in the Founders Square pavilion, country singer Chad Brock will perform at 8 p.m. at the grandstand and a nightly dance is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. in the pavilion.