Neshoba County Fair celebrates Meridian Day'
By Staff
DOUBLE-TAKE Only at the Neshoba County Fair could two newspaper photographers, on two separate days, among thousands of fair-goers, end up taking pictures of the same baby. It's one for the record books at Mississippi's Giant House Party here's Lindsey Copeland of Kemper County again, this time hanging on to a balloon Wednesday during Meridian Day. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
July 31, 2003
The smell of fresh coffee wafted through the air Wednesday as cabin dwellers at the Neshoba County Fair emerged from their slumber to sit on their front porch swings.
Jodi Harrison of New Orleans said she and her husband have been coming to the Neshoba County Fair since 1989. When they can get away from work, Harrison said, they stay in a cabin owned by her husband's parents.
Harrison's cabin, like so many others on the fair grounds, was full of people she didn't know.
Jane McVay of Pontotoc stopped by because Harrison is a supporter of Jim Roberts. Roberts is seeking the democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in Tuesday's GOP primary.
Greg Donald of Union said he and his wife, Sulynn, have been coming to his father's cabin for years and years.
Ethan Nam Le, 8 months old, came all the way from Abu Dhabi, a part of the United Arab Emirates, to attend the festival. Le's mother, Melanie Duncan Le, is from Neshoba County.
Le and her husband, Phi, a mechanical engineer, have lived all over the world. Ethan was born in Belgium.
Meridian Day
Wednesday was Meridian Day at the Neshoba County Fair. The day was hosted by the East Mississippi Business Development Corp.'s Meridian Day Committee, chaired by Monte Royal.
Many Meridian residents were present to set up booths touting what Meridian has to offer.
Also in attendance were representatives from Meridian Community College, Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus, Rush Foundation Hospital, Riley Hospital and Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center, as well as many others.
Handing out mementos were volunteers from the city of Meridian, the Meridian Arts Council and Keep America Beautiful. Personnel from Naval Air Station Meridian recognized the day by providing cups of navy bean soup.