2018 Meridian Day at Neshoba County Fair

“Several people are so nice around here just opening their cabins up, so I really like the friendly atmosphere of this fair. It’s really special,” says Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality Anna McDaniel

The famous 129th Neshoba County Fair is still happening this week, but today a lot of it was about Meridian. The fair’s annual Meridian Day took place this morning, where organizations from all around the city such as Meridian Community College, NAS Meridian, and MSU Meridian, came to promote what the city has to offer.

“It’s important to promote all the time, but right now when you’re transitioning, when you’re trying to grow, you want the positive things to take the front. So, we just want to concentrate on what’s positive and get people to visit Meridian. So, they can see for themselves that we’re not the ones promoting Meridian, but our visitors are also promoting Meridian.” -Fannie Johnson, city council, Ward 3

Mayor Percy Bland spoke about the city’s new Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience and how he claims there is a transition going on within downtown, and he urged everyone to come and experience the city. Meridian native Anna McDaniel, who is the state’s 2018 Mississippi Miss Hospitality, sang the national anthem along with several other songs to entertain those in attendance.

“Meridian’s really special because we have the new Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience. We are the birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers. So, as a musician, that’s something I hold really dear to my heart. Being able to be Miss Meridian and now Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality is such an honor and such a privilege, and I just hope to get to sing at places and share my love of music with the whole state.” -Anna McDaniel, Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality.

The fair will continue through Friday night.