There Was a Whole Lotta Shaking in Central Park for Mississippi Picnic

Folks were all shook up on Saturday in New York City, as the Magnolia State held its 36th annual Mississippi Picnic in Central Park. The theme for this year’s picnic was a “Mississippi Homecoming,” featuring a celebration of the 80th birthday of Tupelo native, Elvis Presley.

The day-long event sponsored each year by the New York Mississippi Society is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Mississippi by supporting and promoting the state’s many artists, authors, musicians and culinary artists.

The picnic always attracts thousands of New Yorkers, as well as tourists visiting the city — including both Mississippi expatriates living in the Big Apple and Magnolia-staters just in town for the “homecoming” event. This year’s picnic was no different.

To take a page from one of Elvis’ many hits, the Mississippi Picnic in Central Park attendees don’t “care if the sun don’t shine,” but this year they didn’t have to worry about mud. The air was crystal clear and the sky a brilliant blue embellished with an occasional swirl of fluffy clouds. The intoxicating aroma of frying catfish and hushpuppies filled the air at the prime park location between the Central Park Band Shell and the old Sheep Meadow, at 5th Avenue and 72nd Street.

Simmons Catfish provided 500 pounds of farm-raised Mississippi catfish, McAlister’s Deli provided its famous sweet tea (and unsweet on request). Carefully parceled-out slices of 75 caramel cakes from Sugaree Bakery of New Albany disappeared as fast as people could grab the plates.

Other Mississippi treats included Pirouline Cookies from De Beukelaer Corporation, Sarabella’s Sauces, and treats from Regina’s (Charboneaux) Kitchen of Natchez.

Oxonian Jeff Triplette was in New York on business but stayed overnight specifically to attend the picnic. He’d heard about it from daughter Gabrielle, one of thousands of Mississippi expatriates living in New York. His photo album illustrates why the annual Mississippi Picnic remains a keynote of summertime in the Big Apple. It’s also the only such event allowed in Central Park.

Oxford was well represented.

McAlister’s sweet tea stormed the park.

A traditional Mississippi catfish plate.

Elvis made it to the Park!

Dishing up catfish plates

De Beukelaer cookies tent

For complete information about the 2015 MS in the Park event, click here or here.

Laurie Triplette is a writer, historian and accredited appraiser of fine arts, dedicated to preserving Southern culture and foodways. Author of the award-winning community family cookbook GIMME SOME SUGAR, DARLIN’, and editor of ZEBRA TALES (Tailgating Recipes from the Ladies of the NFLRA), Triplette is a member of the Association of Food Journalists, Southern Foodways Alliance and the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. Check out the GIMME SOME SUGAR, DARLIN’ website and follow Laurie’s food adventures on Facebook and Twitter.