Despite the sweltering heat, you could find nothing but smiling faces, joyful laughter and welcoming hugs from the attendees of the 43rd annual National Council of Meridianites, Inc. Convention and Picnic on June 24-27, 2009. Popularly coined “The Meridian Picnic,” thousands of visitors, locals and vendors participated during the homecoming celebration, which is held in a different city each year and returns to Meridian every fifth year.

Attendees participated in several events during the week, including meetings, an awards program, scholarship luncheon, a memorial service and a grand ball at the Frank Cochran Center, with Saturday’s picnic in Highland Park as the main attraction.

“This is one of the biggest events for Meridian,” said Dorothy Holloway, local author and owner of Expressions by Dorothy. “Look at all these beautiful people just enjoying each other’s company.”

Holloway, who was a vendor at the picnic, stated that she has participated in several of the conventions over the years in each of the five participating states. “Although, I’ve been to several of the reunions, this was my first year as a vendor, selling my books, CDs and poetry trinkets. I have really enjoyed seeing and networking with everyone.”

The picnic tradition started 43 years ago, when Meridian natives Curtis Cole, Lessie Hill Cole and Clarice May Thomas, who all lived in Cleveland and Lucille Kennedy Jackson, Steve Jackson and Annie B. Kennedy Horton of Detroit, MI attended a former classmate’s funeral. After the funeral, the group met at a local park to reminisce. At that meeting, they all decided to meet again the following year under more pleasant circumstances, thus beginning a tradition that has continued to present day.

Over the years, the picnic has evolved into more than just a social gathering and become a colossal convention that has been divided into five regions, Northern, Eastern, Western, Mid-West and Southern. More than 5,000 people attended the first picnic, held in Meridian in 1974.

Drury Inn and Suites served as headquarters for the four-day convention.