Clinton native helps organize Mississippi in the Park

Mississippi will be represented in the Big Apple this summer, when the Mississippi Society of New York City hosts “Mississippi in the Park.”

Clinton native Jay Rao, a 2013 graduate of Clinton High School, currently serves on the board for the Mississippi Society of New York City, which will “bring a piece of home to Manhattan” this June with a celebration of Southern culture in the heart of New York City at Pier 64 at Hudson River Park.

Organizers say the Mississippi in the Park event, set for Saturday, June 6, is dedicated to promoting the rich heritage, culture and traditions of the Magnolia State, and serves as an annual gathering that transforms a piece of New York City into a soulful Southern homecoming for expats, alumni and friends of Mississippi. 

“In a city like New York, every single culture is on display – our Mississippi heritage deserves to have a permanent place in the melting pot,” said Rao. “It’s such a delight to introduce the Magnolia State and its beauty, traditions and foods to people who haven’t had the pleasure of visiting it.”

“Mississippi in the Park is a bridge between our heritage and our lives here in New York. It’s an opportunity to connect and meet with old friends and like-minded people,” said Scott Barton, who also serves as a board member of the Mississippi Society of New York City. “The bigger this becomes, the more people who are not from Mississippi will open up their minds to what the future of Mississippi can be.”

In addition to celebrating a lineup of Mississippi artists, the event will include a Southern musical lineup and picnic competitions, with Southern layer cakes and sweet tea. Organizers say the event, which began in the 1980s and is heralding its return after roughly a ten-year hiatus, remains a crucial hub for the Mississippi collective, attracting hundreds of alumni from Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss and other state institutions who now reside in the Northeast, as well as celebrates the state’s world-class contributions to art, music, food and history.

“Celebrating our state with Mississippians and friends has been such a rich NYC tradition, and we look forward to building this event back to a level even greater than it once was,” said Rao.

For more information about the event or the organization, visit MississippiSocietyNYC.com.