Downtown’s hoppin’

By Crystal Dupré / publisher

January 19, 2008 05:51 pm

— Last week, we had the honor of hosting America’s most famous daytime talk show host, Oprah Winfrey. Oprah was in Meridian with her personal trainer, Bob Green, to introduce a program of lifestyle change and healthy eating called the Best Life Challenge. Because Mississippi is the fattest state in the nation, Oprah and Bob decided to kick off the program right here in our great state. Because Meridian already took up the challenge several months ago when the city kicked off their “Just Lose It, Meridian” weight loss initiative, Opera decided Meridian was the perfect location.
I must admit although I very rarely watch Oprah’s show, I was intrigued by all the commotion of the event. So several other Meridian Star employees and I walked down to Dumont Plaza to catch the show.
As expected, a huge crowd of people were on hand to welcome Oprah back to her home state of Mississippi. Oprah and Bob spoke of making a lifestyle change rather than a pattern of on-again, off-again diets, changing how you live your “food life” on an every-day basis. They also emphasized in addition to a balanced diet comes the need to exercise. I must say Oprah and Bob truly did an admirable job of presenting the facts and encouraging the crowd to make a life-changing commitment.
While I’m thinking about it, whoever decided to make The Riley Center as the stage backdrop made a great decision! When the show aired Monday, the combination of 4,000 cheering people with the beautiful Riley Center in the background really showcased our city, showing off Meridian’s lively, beautiful downtown.
As I was leaving Dumont Plaza that Friday afternoon, I heard someone say, “I didn’t get a contract, so I guess I won’t participate.” Guys, come on ... you don’t need Oprah or some piece of paper to do what is right for you. The bottom line: you control your destiny, not Oprah or anybody else. You have to make the decision for yourself that you want to make a lifestyle change. Make the decision because it is what is best for you, and be strong in your determination to make it work.
Speaking of our beautiful downtown, another great event is coming up next weekend when Meridian celebrates Little Mardi Gras. In case you missed the picture on the front page of last Wednesday’s Meridian Star, Carolyn Smith was crowned as Queen Midas of Meridian’s Little Mardi Gras. I’ve had the privilege of serving on several committees and boards with Carolyn and I have to say she reminds me of the Energizer Bunny … she just keeps on going. Congratulations, Carolyn, and long live the Queen.
I love Mardi Gras. I am originally from New Orleans and my husband, Ken, is from Houma, Louisiana. That makes us both South Louisiana Cajuns that have been attending Mardi Gras parades as long as we can remember. I’m sure many of you have horrid thoughts running through your head when I write those devilish words: “Mardi Gras”. When we get ready to make our annual Mardi Gras trip back to south Louisiana, one of the first questions people ask is, “Are you taking the kids?” The answer: ”of course we are.”
Many people in this area know of Mardi Gras only by the what they see on television in the New Orleans French Quarter. This media coverage of Mardi Gras is the sort of thing we saw of the coverage of Hurricane Katrina. The national media only shows you the debaucheries of Bourbon Street, where people of all ages are acting like wild animals. Let me assure you, Bourbon Street is the exception to Mardi Gras in South Louisiana, not the norm.
There are many family-friendly places to enjoy Mardi Gras festivities, and Houma is one of those places. There is nothing better than watching the sweet, innocent eyes of children as they scan the street of the parade route, their ears straining to hear the sirens of the police escort. Only Christmas morning can rival the heart-thumping anticipation and excitement of the children as the parade slowly approaches our viewing (and catching) area. They love the police cars, the marching bands, the Shriner’s motorcycle units, the clowns and, most of all, the Mardi Gras floats.
The riders in the Houma parades seek out the children and shower them with beads, doubloons, toys, stuffed animals, and anything else on the float. The crowds are very well-behaved and happy, not boisterous and lewd as one is led to believe.
To many in South Louisiana , Mardi Gras is family time. It certainly is time that the Dupre’ family looks forward to every year. If you haven’t already started your own Mardi Gras tradition, I encourage you to head downtown next weekend and enjoy Meridian’s Little Mardi Gras festivities.

Crystal Dupré is publisher of The Meridian Star. E-mail her at
cdupre@themeridianstar.com.