While Mardi Gras hubs like New Orleans and St. Louis were basking in the revelry of Fat Tuesday, the Mexico Jaycees were busy.

They were serving their community. And to be more specific, they were serving one of the year’s most anticipated meals: their annual Fat Tuesday Business Lunch. Boasting a New Orleans-style lunch - without the inconvenience of traveling to one of the previously mentioned towns - the Jaycees invested their time and effort into the event.

“This is our biggest one we’ve had yet,” said Jaycees co-president, Gib Graham. On the menu? Pulled pork, jambalaya, cornbread and bread pudding. In its 22nd year, the lunch has earned a reputation for its overall tastiness, and this year, that translated into an estimated 600 meals being sold. Appeals were extended in February through the Jaycees Facebook page and local media. Meals were available between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Mexico’s First Christian Church. In addition to curbside service, deliveries were made throughout the area, with some delivered as far out as POET in Laddonia.

It was a team effort, with over 20 volunteers helping from start to finish. Cooking started Sunday.

And it continued Monday.

“Tuesday’s an all-day event,” said Graham.

There was a 50-pound bag of rice and lots of pulled pork. Heck, there was lots of everything. One of the benefits is that there were some leftovers too.

“It’s really good,” Graham said.

Funds raised go to Camp Wonderland and to scholarships.

The Fat Tuesday lunch is just one of the Jaycees’ annual efforts. 

Most notably, they are also gearing up for the Soybean Festival, with this year’s event set for Aug. 26 and 27.