To honor the 2015 Ms. Senior America and future 2016 Ms. Mississippi Senior pageant winners, Southern Char Steakhouse is hosting “Mardi Gras in July” Saturday, July 30.
The pageant will take place at 2 p.m. that day at the Pittman Family Life Center and all participants will be attending the celebration event afterwards, said Director of the Ms. Mississippi Senior America Pageant Bonnie Hughes.
“We were honored to have the Ms. Senior America winner, Dr. Barbara Mauldin, come from Mississippi last year. This is a fun and great way to honor her as well as the winner of the 2016 Mississippi Senior pageant,” said Hughes.
The event at Southern Char will start at 6 p.m. and will feature a buffet, unique Mardi Gras beverages and live music and entertainment by entertainer Vince Vance.
“He is a great entertainer. He has been entertaining for almost 30 years now. I can remember him doing shows all over New Orleans. He is great at what he does and I am excited to have him perform at the event Saturday,” said owner of Southern Char Steakhouse Tim Hart.
Hart said Picayune native Jamie Thompson will be performing at the event around 7 p.m. “Mardi Gras in July” ends at 10 p.m.
Admission is free to attend this adult event and the public is invited. The buffet costs about $15 and will include a “Vince Vance burger” as well as prime rib, brisket and more. Pageant participants will not have to pay any expenses for food or drinks during the event.
This is the first time Hart has held “Mardi Gras in July” but expects to have a crowd of 100 people. He recommends calling early to set a reservation for Saturday’s event. VIP seating will be available around the stage and will cost $20-30 per table, said Hart.
“I am trying to do something for these pageant contestants because they put a lot of time and effort into it. Having this event is going to be a good time and everyone is invited to come and honor these ladies as well as enjoy Mardi Gras in Picayune,” said Hart.
The proceeds from the event will go toward future events Southern Char Steakhouse will host. Southern Char Steakhouse is located at 210 W. Canal St. in Picayune.

Hart also mentioned that he is planning to host a luncheon for the local law enforcement in the upcoming weeks in which the proceeds from that are going toward the local departments and their search for safer equipment.