The first day of the 69th Columbus Pilgrimage attracted people from all over North America to the Friendly City.
People from across Mississippi, 17 other states and Canada flocked to Columbus for a chance to take part in Columbus” unique celebration of its past.
“It was a big day,” said Nancy Carpenter. “At the Tennessee-Williams Welcome Center we had about 170 people, at Blues Around the Block we had about 500, about 303 took part in Tales From The Crypt and 50 people went on carriage rides.”
People came from California, Ohio, Utah, Kansas, Virginia, Nebraska, among other states, to tour homes, eat catfish and spend a spooky hour of education and entertainment at Tales From the Crypt.
“One group was from Columbus, Neb., and they said they came because we have a Columbus, Miss., and they wanted to visit another Columbus,” said Carpenter.
Tonight, Pilgrimage participants can take part in a candlelight tour of the homes Shadowlawn and Temple Heights, both of which were constructed before the breakout of the Civil War.
“At Temple Heights people will see one of the most authentic home tours in the South,” said Carpenter.
Articles and advertisements in publications like Southern Living have spread the word about the Columbus event.
“We had one group from Tuscaloosa last night who were very excited and said they had no idea Columbus had this many antebellum homes,” said Carpenter.
All events tonight are scheduled to continue rain or shine. Candlelight tours begin at 7 p.m. and end at 10 p.m.
Pilgrimage will continue through Saturday, April 11. For a full calendar of Pilgrimage-related events, visit http://www.columbus-ms.org and click on the Pilgrimage link, or call the Tennessee-Williams Welcome Center at 662-328-0222.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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