The warmth of the sun beats down on hundreds of families and friends gathered among the trees, sitting here and there on Grandma's quilts enjoying fried catfish and watermelon as a blues band plays nearby.
Children laugh and run, tossing a football or playing tag in the balmy summer breeze.
That's the atmosphere at the Mississippi Picnic in Central Park, an annual event that reunites New York-area residents who have ties to Mississippi and to its colleges and universities. Since then, seven more universities have been added across the state, and 62,000 students are enrolled in their 700 degree programs. In addition to the fun and food, the picnic committee also is planning special recognition for all eight of Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning. Among them are an exhibit a 10-foot wall of images highlighting the universities' programs and achievements and a brochure with similar information. The picnic began on a whim nearly 20 years ago.