The mood was festive, the attire fitting and the hats reigned supreme at the Main Street Magee (MSM) Seersucker Derby Day, Saturday, May 3.
The MSM fundraising event was scheduled to be held in the green space next to PriorityOne Bank on Main Avenue in downtown Magee. Due to inclement weather the venue was changed to Simpson Country Club where the decorations were befitting the annual Kentucky Derby always held the first Saturday in May.
The bright sunshine and good tunes provided by Vintage 601offered the perfect backdrop to the 151st Kentucky Derby. An array of foods provided by MSM board members lined one wall of the dining area and ranged from brisket and shrimp and grits to dips and chips to delicious desserts like King Cake bread pudding and macarons.
Several men were dressed in their best racetrack suits and ladies wore hats from simple and unadorned, to those outfitted with flowers and feather plumes in all shades of the rainbow. A contest was held for best hat, best dressed woman and best dressed man. There were at least 50 in attendance including several MSM board members.
Most of the revelers gathered around the two televisions showing the derby. Everyone had their designated favorite for personal reasons. While Journalism was the favored winner with odds of five to one it was Sovereignty who crossed the finish line first with the same odds.
According to MSM Executive Director Tiffany Kinslow this event was designed to help raise funds for the organization’s necessary fees for Mississippi Main Street of which MSM is a part. The group’s goals include raising awareness for preservation and economic revitalization, restoring vitality to once lagging downtowns.
An immediate goal of Main Street Magee includes overhead criss-cross lighting from PriorityOne Bank and the blocks upward to the five way stop. The block from PriorityOne to Family Dental Care is already funded.
In addition to the event ticket price of $50 per person a silent auction was held. Several businesses donated various items including but not limited to home accessories, jewelry, and short stay trips.
A barbeque cook off and corn hole tournament fundraiser is set for Saturday, June 7. For more information call 601-382-1179.
