More than four hundred competitive gymnasts from three different states will Mardi Gras Mambo to Vicksburg this weekend for the fifth annual Mardi Gras Classic hosted by GymSouth.

The competition will feature ten sessions across three different levels in what has rapidly become one of the biggest meets in the southeast.

“Our first year we did it, people wanted to come because it is relatively central to a lot of gyms,” GymSouth owner Cherry Robbins said. “I think the thing that people like the most about our gym is that we roll the red carpet out.”

Robbins said she wants everyone involved to know, from the parents to the participants, that this weekend is all about southern hospitality and the Mardi Gras spirit. The kids will start things off Friday night by parading into the gym throwing beads to those in attendance, and the entire facility will be lit up with the festive purple, green and gold colors associated with the holiday.

“It’s just a very happy, friendly, hospitable atmosphere at our gym. People just like it and word’s gotten around,” Robbins said. “It’s a great meet. We have good food, good awards, good music and just a good time is had by all.”

The event has ballooned from a shade over 100 gymnasts in its first year to becoming one of the premier competitions in Mississippi. Competitors will flock to Vicksburg from as far away as Arkansas to compete in the three-day event, which ends with a level three session Sunday night, and Robbins is looking forward to playing the part of gracious host.

“My parents are just in general very helpful, hospitable people, so when our guests walk in, we have smiles on our faces. We’re willing to help,” she said. “We tell them about things going on around Vicksburg.”

GymSouth aims to be an essential extension of the Vicksburg Visitor’s Center during its annual Mardi Gras Classic, combining competition with hospitality and information on the city’s many tourist attractions. The competition coincides with Vicksburg’s Mardi Gras parade and the Carnaval de Mardi Gras & Gumbo Cook-Off, wrapping the weekend up nicely in a purple, green and gold bow.

“We make sure that all of our guests know about that,” Robbins said. “A lot of people do stay and make a weekend of it.”

The fifth edition of this multi-state event will be its largest so far, and attendees on all three days are encouraged. Admissions to the Mardi Gras Classic is $5, and children three or under get in free.

“Our meet, and I knock on wood, has always run very, very smoothly, and I think it is because we are very relaxed, but we’ve done enough the week prior to where we know we have everything in place,” Robbins said.

“We’ve been to events before, and not necessarily in Mississippi, where you walk in and it’s just another day at the office. Here, we have everything decorated; we’ve got the Zydeco music playing. We work really hard to make our atmosphere very happy.”