Mississippi’s Story Told in Flowers
by Shelly Withers Janous
My mom used to say I would sit “as still as a knot on a log” as long as Kermit the Frog was on television. As a child, I was completely captivated—calm, curious, and content just watching him. Kermit’s song “The Rainbow Connection” from The Muppet Movie became a memorable part of my childhood soundtrack when the film was released. In fact, we created a dance and held a concert for other neighborhood friends to see. Many years later, discovering that Jim Henson—who grew up in Leland—was the creator of Kermit made that affection come full circle. Creativity, after all, has deep roots in Mississippi.
My passion for creativity was encouraged from a young age, thanks in large part to my Mimi. She introduced me to books, museums, music, and art. I will never forget her taking me to musicals at the Orpheum, the displays at the Pink Palace, and opening my eyes to the arts, the sounds, and the imagination behind them. From her, I gained an enduring insight: art serves not merely as decoration, but as a reflection of identity.
When I stood in Pasadena and saw the Visit Mississippi Rose Parade float themed “Where Creativity Blooms,” my appreciation went far beyond how breathtaking it was—though it truly was outstanding. Every detail told a story. Every flower had meaning.
✨ A Float Built with Purpose–and Petals
If you can imagine, this float stretched approximately 18 feet wide and 55 feet long. It began as a detailed model, evolved into architectural design, and then moved into massive construction bays where volunteers spent countless days—and late nights—bringing it to life. Every blossom was so thoughtfully arranged…using only natural elements like flowers, leaves, seeds, and, of course, roses.
Towering above it all, Kermit the Frog, a Mississippi original, playing his guitar. The float was framed by a powerful backdrop: a replica of William Faulkner’s original typewriter—symbolizing the written word as the foundation of Mississippi’s creative legacy.
🎨 Honoring the Foundations of Mississippi Arts
Literature & Storytelling
Mississippi Writers Trail — Honors the authors who shaped American literature, with markers across the state connecting stories to place.
Rowan Oak (Oxford) — The longtime home of William Faulkner, where some of the South’s most influential literary works were written.
Featured authors on the float included Tennessee Williams, Eudora Welty, Willie Morris, Greg Iles, Jesmyn Ward, and Richard Wright—award winning writers whose voices carried Mississippi stories to the world.
Visual Arts
Lauren Rogers Museum of Art (Laurel) — One of the South’s premier art museums, linking Mississippi to the global art conversation through renowned collections.
Peter Anderson (Ocean Springs) — A cornerstone of Mississippi’s visual arts tradition, celebrated through the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival and museum.
Music & Cultural Legacy
The MAX (Meridian) — The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, honoring musicians and cultural icons who shaped American sound and style.
Mississippi’s musical influence—blues, gospel, country, and soul—continues to echo across the globe.
Dance & Performance
USA International Ballet Competition (Jackson) — One of only four international ballet competitions in the world, drawing elite dancers from around the globe and cementing Mississippi’s place on the world stage. The ballet dancers on the float symbolized grace, discipline, and global excellence rooted right here.
Each element—writers, musicians, artists, dancers—represented a pillar of Mississippi’s creative foundation. Not borrowed. Not replicated. Born here.
🎵 Music Leading the Way
Leading the float was Charlie Worsham, a Mississippi-born singer-song writer who is a gifted storyteller and musician He is known not just as a recording artist but as a highly respected collaborator and performer. He has toured with some of country music’s biggest stars and collaborated with major artists such as Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, and Lainey Wilson. In 2024 he earned the Country Music Association (CMA) Award for Musician of the Year, a testament to his exceptional musicianship within the genre.
His songwriting and storytelling — often reflecting on themes of love, home, and personal experience — continue to connect with audiences across the country. His EP Compadres (2023) features collaborations with well-known artists, further cementing his reputation as a versatile and collaborative force in contemporary country music.
Charles Worsham understands where Mississippi music comes from—and why it matters. He recently started the Mississippi on the Map podcast.
✨ Why Mississippi is to be Adored
Mississippi’s culture extends beyond museums, performances, and history books. It attracts each of our senses. It lives all around us—in small towns, back roads, front porches, churches, classrooms, and community gatherings. So much of what the world celebrates in art, music, literature, and performance was born right here, often quietly, often humbly, and often without fanfare.
At Made in Mississippi, this is the heartbeat of everything we do. Our purpose is to help Mississippians—and people everywhere—recognize that many of our most valuable assets can be found right here at home. The stories, creativity, and cultural influence that shape Mississippi aren’t rare exceptions; they are part of our everyday landscape.
From a little girl sitting still as a bump on a log watching Kermit the Frog, to a world stage filled with flowers telling Mississippi’s story, this moment is a reminder of who we are.
Mississippi does not just bloom.
It creates.