Atta-boys all around.

First, an atta-boy to the Y, the Mississippi Track Club and the hundreds of volunteers who make the annual Run Thru History a signature event for this city. Despite the forecast for rainy, windy conditions, more than 700 walkers and runners participated in the run and walk that wind through the historic Vicksburg National Military Park.

The trophy presentation was forced indoors after rain began falling during the walk. When it did rain, though, no one was spared. Being a volunteer is something, but battling the elements to volunteer or participate in an outdoor race is astounding. Atta-boy!

An atta-boy to Mother Nature. This is Mississippi in March and she sure can affect outdoor events. But on Saturday, she held off her wrath for most of the RTH, then subsided for the Mardi Gras parade down Washington Street. Weather is the one plan for which there is no contingency. It’s the one aspect we cannot control. But it could have been worse than it was, so even Mother Nature gets some credit.

As with the RTH, the undertaking for putting on a successful parade relies on the commitment of its organizers, volunteers, participants and revelers.

Forty-two floats lined Washington Street as nearly 1,000 people came out to watch. The attendance was down from last year, but Vicksburg Main Street Program Director Kim Hopkins said she was pleased anyway. Vicksburg’s Mardi Gras parade continues to grow and is a welcomed activity for this city. Atta-Boy!

And finally, a slam-dunk atta-boy to the Vicksburg Gators basketball team. Their quest to hoist the gold championship ball fell short in a loss to the mighty Meridian Wildcats, a team that had not lost to an in-state school all season. Vicksburg played with class. It played with heart and emotion. It had great fan support. The Gators did this county proud.