Happy Birthday Mississippi

Mississippi turns 200 this year. This weekend, residents and even some out-of-towners celebrated the state’s rich culture. News 25’s Taylor Rubach reports from Centennial Plaza, showing us how South Mississippians celebrated the bicentennial.
All families, local and travelers, spent their Saturday parading and celebrating the state of Mississippi. Cities and counties came together as one, making memories to pass down for another 200 years. Moss Point Mayor Billy Broomfield said, “Our young people need to know and continue the legacy that has been started and this tradition needs to be passed down from generation to generation. The history of this state, it’s not what it used to be, but it’s much better than it was.”
In conjunction with Mississippi’s birthday, we also celebrate National Navy Week and bring together all sectors of the community, informing Mississippians of their duty. Franklyn Tamarez with Underwater Construction Team One in Virginia Beach said, “We’re representing the Seabee divers. There’s about roughly 110 of us. We do under water construction, precision demolition, hydrographic-typographic surveys to include ship husbandry and salvage operations as well.”
Since it is National Seabee Week, the Seabee divers were interacting and playing tick-tack-toe and making a splash with the crowd.
But what makes people love the state of Mississippi so much is the family welcoming atmosphere people receive with open arms. Mississippi resident Michael Winstead said, “I just love it because everybody’s friendly, you know? One big giant family, it’s just one big giant family here. Everybody’s just happy.”
Mississippi resident Heather Matos said, “Everybody’s your friend here. You can walk down the street and talk to anybody and you can have a conversation and enjoy yourself.”