Hundreds of Mississippians gathering with family and friends to picnic under a canopy of trees -- it sounds like the Ole Miss Grove on game day, but it's actually the Mississippi Picnic in New York City's Central Park.
Two-thousand New Yorkers with Mississippi roots are expected to get together Saturday for Southern-style food, games and entertainment.
"It's just a big picnic, similar to dinner in the Grove, except that everyone sits on blankets and brings picnic lunches," said Kay McDuffie, assistant director of alumni affairs at Ole Miss and founder of the picnic. "We're expecting to have the largest attendance in history."
This year's picnic honors Mississippi's colleges and universities with the theme "Celebrating 150 Years of Higher Education in Mississippi."
"Seven other universities will be there, but of course our display will be the biggest because we are celebrating our 150th birthday," McDuffie said.
Now in its 19th year, the event, which has been described as a giant family reunion, has grown dramatically over the years. It began when four Mississippians -- Vicky Helms Carter, Ron Carter, Kay McDuffie and Rachel McPherson -- who were working in New York decided to organize a picnic for Mississippians living in New York.
Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice, Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat and Mississippi University for Women President Clyda Rent are expected to attend.
Entertainment will be provided by the Kit McClure Band, an all-female group specializing in rock and roll. The Spirit of Ole Miss and groups from five other Mississippi universities will also perform.
The Catfish Women of America will sell plates of Southern-fried catfish with hush puppies and cole slaw for five dollars.
Dessert will be a giant birthday cake in the shape of the Lyceum and 2000 cupcakes.
A watermelon seed spitting contest is just one of the uniquely Southern competitions planned. Competitions for best hat, best Southern dessert and best picnic display are also planned.
"It's an opportunity to promote Mississippi, and it allows people with Mississippi roots the chance to get together and enjoy themselves," said Louise Avent, an Oxford resident who has attended the picnic three times.
"When you're in New York, it's great to get together with other Mississippians ; you all come from similar backgrounds and can connect," McDuffie said. "I think the picnic has enhanced the image of the state of Mississippi throughout the nation."
In addition to the picnic, on Friday evening the New York Ole Miss Alumni Club will host a reception at the Yale Club. Chancellor Khayat will be the featured speaker and the Spirit of Ole Miss will perform.