Our Mississippi Home
Mississippi Traditions: Black-Eyed Peas and Cabbage on New Year’s Day
SUMMARY: Mississippians embrace long-standing superstitions and traditions, such as painting porch ceilings “haint” blue to ward off spirits and avoiding 13 dinner guests. Superstition blends with culinary customs, especially when eating black-eyed peas and cabbage on New Year’s Day for luck and prosperity. The peas, a Southern staple for over 300 years, combined with greens representing money, promise a prosperous year ahead. Origins trace back to Jewish and African traditions. People also add a penny to the peas for extra luck. As the year turns, these foods are not only prepared at home but also featured in restaurants across the state.
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Our Mississippi Home
Porch Lights and Lightning Bugs: An August Evening in Mississippi
SUMMARY: August evenings in Mississippi unfold with a golden warmth that lingers, accompanied by the chirping of crickets and the hum of distant country music. Time slows on wide, weathered porches where people sip sweet tea, watch lightning bugs blink like tiny lanterns, and savor the simple comfort of shared stories. The air is thick and ripe with garden fruits, and the porch becomes a sanctuary of stillness and memory. This in-between moment, marked by fading fireflies and porch lights flickering on, feels sacred—capturing the essence of Mississippi’s slow rhythm, timeless stories, and the gentle magic of a summer night.
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Our Mississippi Home
Water Valley Watermelon Carnival: The Last Taste of Summer
SUMMARY: Summer is ending in Mississippi, marking the loss of homegrown tomatoes and watermelons. The 2025 Watermelon Carnival in Water Valley celebrates the state’s famed juicy watermelons, drawing up to 20,000 visitors each year. Recognized as a top festival in the Southeast, the carnival features delicious food like funnel cakes, live music, arts and crafts, contests, entertainment for kids, and a fireworks display. Originating during the Great Depression in 1931 to boost the local economy, the event began with overwhelming attendance. This year’s festivities start August 1 with a street dance and fireworks, followed by a parade, races, and more on August 2. More info at the Water Valley Chamber Facebook page.
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Our Mississippi Home
Mississippi Isn’t Just a State—It’s a State of Mind
SUMMARY: Mississippi’s charm lies in its quiet strength and soulful stories—from the sunrise over cotton fields to the hum of pine trees and the comfort of a porch swing. Known for hardworking, proud people, the state is the birthplace of blues and gospel, shaping much of America’s culture. Its communities rally with kindness, respect, and close connections, while embracing both tradition and progress. From small-town festivals to innovators shaping the future, Mississippi balances resilience with growth. Its unpredictable spirit defines its dynamic people. More than a location, Mississippi is a feeling, a family, and a true home.
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