Driving downtown on West Capitol Street Saturday night, Feb. 20, a motorist might have felt as if he or she had driven through a ‘twilight zone’ into Hollywood when arriving at the Jackson King Edward Hotel.
There were towering rays of light, taller than the hotel itself, flashing in a upward motion toward the sky from in front of the hotel. There was a welcoming red carpet that extended from the entrance all the way to edge of the street. As guests drove up, an eager and friendly group of valets greeted them and parked their cars.
When guests stepped onto the red carpet, a spotlight shone down upon them. Then as the doors were opened, the big band sound of the roaring 1920’s and waves of laughter and chatter were heard from the hotel’s ballroom area on the second floor.
Guests after guests found themselves stepping off the elevator into a melting pot of people — dressed in black tie fashion — having fun, talking, dancing and dining on the “finest” of cuisine.
The event – the Grand Reopening Gala of the King Edward Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Jackson Downtown – appeared to be a scene from a major motion picture.
“It’s been a long time coming for sure. It’s a wonderful night seeing the majesty of this evening. It’s just thrilling,” said developer and co-owner David Watkins.
Watkins, businessmen Eddie Boettner and Deuce McAllister are the owners, visionaries and moving force behind changing what was once a longtime, dilapidated Jackson eye sore into, now, Jackson’s most popular point of interest.
Guests said they enjoyed the grand reopening gala. “It was awesome,” said Felicia Brookins as she and her husband waited for valet service to bring their car. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had an occasion like this for which to put on such attire.”
Her husband (Jason) is executive director of Jackson Redevelopment Authority.
Not only was the event a restoration celebration for the historical capital city landmark, but also a benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi. As part of the King Edward celebration, 140 guestrooms were auctioned on e-Bay, Feb. 1-10, with the proceeds earmarked for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi. The auction included two invitations to the gala, food, drinks, entertainment and a Feb. 20 over night stay at the hotel.
All guestrooms were filled Saturday night, according to the hotel clerk.
The owners presented Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi President and CEO Billy Redd with a check in the amount of $19,667.83. “Well of course, it feels absolutely fantastic [that this check] will help support 40 kids, for the entire year, to belong to the Boys and Girls Club,” Redd told The Mississippi Link. “But it is even better than that. I have two checks in my pocket right now. I haven’t even looked at them yet. People have walked up to me and said, ‘here are two more checks,’ and someone else said, ‘we have more coming, too.’ I don’t know how much more we’re going to raise before the night’s over. It’s been fun. It has been a wonderful evening!”
Redd later said the two additional checks in his pocket totaled $800.
For more information on the Hilton Garden Inn Jackson Downtown, visit www.jacksondowntown.hgi.com.
For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi, visit www.bgccm.net.
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