Thursday, June 12, 2008

NYC Picnic Press Release



Mississippi Gift Company Takes Part in Annual New York Picnic

The Mississippi Gift Company, a Greenwood based Internet, Catalog, and Retail Gift Company that specializes exclusively in food and gift items made in Mississippi, recently participated in the 29th Annual New York Mississippi Picnic that was held June 7th in New York’s Central Park.

The New York Mississippi Picnic began in 1979 when a small handful of native Mississippians living in New York City created an event highlighting Mississippi in a positive way. The result was the Mississippi Picnic that brings thousands of Mississippians together every year in New York’s Central Park as well as the creation of the New York Society for the Preservation of Mississippi Heritage.

The theme of this year’s festivities was “Art in the Park”, which showcased many of Mississippi’s talented artists. The Mississippi Gift Company’s booth featured local photography, artwork and pottery, as well as a few specialty gift items. Daisy Karam-Read, author of From Manhattan To Mississippi, signed copies of her book at the booth.

In addition to the Mississippi Gift Company booth, there were many Mississippi college alumni associations, independent musicians and artists represented. Southern fare was also available in the form of fried catfish and sweet tea. McAlister’s restaurant was there providing the refreshing sweet tea to help beat the heat of the 100 degree weather.

“Many of the attendees are native Mississippians that now live in New York and the surrounding area, said Tyler. “A week before we went to New York, we sent an e-mail to our customers in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York inviting them to come by our booth,” Tyler added. “The response was overwhelming, with return emails from several people saying they were attending the event and were looking forward to meeting us after doing business with us all of these years. We even had a couple of people that gave us their cell phone numbers, telling us to call them if we needed anything during our stay. This was just proof that Mississippi people really are the nicest people you will ever meet. We are not called the “hospitality state” for nothing. “

With over 750 food and gift items handcrafted by more than 150 Mississippi gourmet food companies, entrepreneurs, potters and artists, The Mississippi Gift Company remains the only company that exclusively specializes in products made in Mississippi. Their free 32 page mail order catalog can be requested by calling 1-800-467-7763 or on their online store at www.TheMississippiGiftCompany.com . They can also be reached at their retail location located in downtown Greenwood, Mississippi.

Please click the link below to see the photos from the event. Please feel free to publish any of these photos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ttyler1/MississippiPicnicInCentralPark2008