Chamber of commerce officials hope to cook up excitement amongstate legislators Thursday during the annual Brookhaven Day at theCapitol.

“This is going to be, we hope, the largest Brookhaven Day in theevent’s history,” said Cliff Brumfield, the chamber’s executivevice president.

Kay Burton, program director, said the goal of the event is toencourage lawmakers to “see what’s cooking in Brookhaven.”

“We’re trying to tell them what’s hot about Brookhaven,” Burtonsaid.

To help with that, lawmakers will receive oven mitts and grilllighters with the chamber’s logo on their desks Thursday morning.At a noon luncheon at the University Club, there will be a drawingfor a new gas grill.

“You have to be a legislator in attendance (to win),” Brumfieldsaid.

Keeping with the food-related theme, Brookway Market Basket willrun a 1913 grist mill on the north lawn of the Capitol from 9 a.m.until noon.

Brumfield said more than 200 people attended last year’s event.He was hopeful for another good turnout this year.

“This is one of the largest community-oriented events in thestate,” he said.

Also as part of the day’s events, vocal students from theMississippi School of the Arts will perform for lawmakers.Legislators also will receive a 10-minute DVD promoting theschool.

“It’s very well done,” said District 92 Rep. Dr. Jim Barnett,who was looking for a good turnout for Brookhaven Day. “That’spretty well-attended every year.”

Brumfield said Brookhaven Day is to show lawmakers appreciationfor their support of MSA. In years past, he said, MSA has been thefocal point of Brookhaven Day activities and will be again, alongwith stressing the need for legislative assistance with otherprojects like a new industrial park.

“We’d like to keep our ties to the Legislature as strong aspossible,” Brumfield said.

District 53 Rep. Bobby Moak said MSA may have to take somefunding reductions like other agencies, but he was optimistic therewould be support to keep the school in operation.

“The Legislature in the past has put money into the school, andthey’re going to stick with it,” Moak said.