Ellington

P.J. Lee hopes that a glowing, seven-foot catfish dropping from 80 feet in the air will bring large crowds downtown this New Years' Eve.

Last year, Lee and Jacksonians Matt Eichelberger and Bryan Keller used rappelling rope and 75-watt spotlights to descend a colorful catfish structure from Hal & Mal's roof at midnight on New Year's Eve. This year, the Jackson Fire Department will drop the catfish from an 80-foot ladder attached to a fire truck in front of the Pearl Street Bridge. Lee says he is currently working on a back-up plan if the weather doesn't cooperate.

"We are trying to create something that several hundred people can see, whether they are at Hal & Mal's, Martin's or Fire," Lee says. "Most of the (patrons at) venues downtown can see the catfish by stepping outside their door."

Lee, a full-time attorney, is married to Brandi White Lee, who is the daughter of Hal & Mal's owner Hal White. In addition to organizing the catfish drop, he is also involved with Hal & Mal's annual Krystal Ball, also on New Years, and fills in by helping with everything from bartending to cleaning tables at the restaurant. In the future, Lee says he would like to see the catfish drop to turn into a New Year's Eve block party with live entertainment.

Lee, 34, works at Eichelberger and Lee law firm downtown. The Vicksburg native moved to Jackson to attend Mississippi College, where he earned his law degree in 2003. He is the father of a 4-week-old daughter, Rivers Taylor.