Columbus Mayor Robert Smith ran for office on a campaign of unity.
Saturday, Smith”s fourth annual unity picnic at the Columbus Riverwalk, from 4-8 p.m., will offer a reflection of his vision.
“One reason I do this is just to help unify the city, bring the city together as a whole and help diversify the city,” Smith said.
The mayor dreamed the idea up, along with Greg Lewis, project coordinator for the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority.
“We thought what better way to bring the city and county together than to have a (community) picnic,” Smith said.
Aside from free food, live music and inflatables, the picnic will offer community members a chance to see the amenities offered in their own backyard.
“I think they should just get out and see what their community has to offer,” Smith said. “There are still community members who don”t even know the Riverwalk exists or where it is.”
The Riverwalk in downtown Columbus is 2.2 miles of paved walkway, meandering along the river. To further enhance the area, the city has applied for a $100,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, to complete lighting on the walkway. And the city, county and Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau are renovating the Old River Bridge at Highway 182 into a walkway.
“All that is going to enhance the area,” said Smith, who has found his annual picnic also reunites old friends.
“You get an opportunity to see people you haven”t seen and fellowship with (people) that you haven”t seen in years,” he said.
The menu for Saturday includes farm-raised catfish, baked beans cole slaw and hush puppies for adults and hot dogs, baked beans and chips for children. Soda, water, tea and chocolate milk also will be provided.
City Councilman Bill Gavin will disc jockey the event, which also features live performances from local R&B artists Keith and Margie.
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