Miss Mississippi Holly Brand Presents 2022 Dixie National Parade Awards

Miss Mississippi Holly Brand presented the 2022 Dixie National Parade awards to winning participants following the parade on Saturday, February 12, 2022, inside the Mississippi Farmers Market. The procession included an array of rodeo and other title queens, marching groups, floats, car and tractor clubs, riding groups, the famous Dixie National Wagon Train and more.

Following the parade, Miss Mississippi Holly Brand presented the 1st Place Award in Best Marching Group to the Hinds Community College Hi-Steppers of Hinds County. (pictured here)

“I want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Dixie National ‘Spirit of America’ Parade,” said Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “With special appearances from unique participants and local celebrities acting as our parade judges, this beloved tradition was a great event that kicked off the annual Dixie National rodeo competitions. Congratulations to all our winning participants.”

Following the parade, Miss Mississippi Holly Brand presented the 1st Place Award in Best Riding Clubs to the Dixie National Rodeo Queens and Sweethearts. (Queens pictured here)

Every year, a 1st and 2nd place winner are chosen within each category of parade participants including best motorized club, marching group, float, and riding group, as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from the Dixie National Wagon Train. In addition, an overall best group was chosen from the 56 parade entries for the coveted Commissioner’s Award.

A panel of local celebrity and distinguished judges determined this year’s winners, including Donna West, former Co-coordinator of the Dixie National Parade; Billie Jade Chapman, Mississippi FFA President; celebrity Chef Nick Wallace of the Nissan Café and Nick Wallace Culinary; and Kayla Thompson, WJTV News Anchor.

Following the parade, Miss Mississippi Holly Brand presented the 1st Place Award in Best Motorized Clubs to the Crossroad Cruisers of Grenada County. (pictured here)

For best motorized club, Crossroad Cruisers of Grenada County took home first place, and the Mississippi International Harvester Collectors Club took home second place. In marching groups, Hinds Community College Hi-Steppers of Hinds County took home first place, and Rankin County’s McLaurin JROTC took home second place. For best decorative floats, the Mystic Wind Choctaw Dancers of Neshoba County received first place and the Genuine MS® program received second place. In best riding clubs, the Dixie National Rodeo Queens and Sweethearts received first place, and Judy Presley atop Brisket the Bull from Luverne, Alabama, received second place.

Following the parade, Miss Mississippi Holly Brand presented the third place award in Best Wagon Trains to the Mt. Olive Wagon Train of Covington County, second place went to Wesson Wagon Train of Copiah County, and the Smith County Wagon Train took home first place.

Eight individual wagon trains from around the state of Mississippi make up the famous Dixie National Wagon Train. This year, Miss Mississippi Holly Brand awarded third place to the Mt. Olive Wagon Train, second place went to Wesson Wagon Train, and the Smith County Wagon Train took home first place. In addition, one group in particular stood out within the procession and was determined to be the best overall participant by our parade judges. Consequently, the Mississippi Horse Rescue group was awarded the 2022 Commissioner’s Award.

For more information and a full event schedule on the 57th Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, visit www.dixienational.org, download the mobile app, “like” the Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo on Facebook or call 601-961-4000.

Following the parade, Miss Mississippi Holly Brand presented the Commissioner’s Award to Mississippi Horse Rescue of Madison County as best overall group.