One of our dearest friends is from Pensacola, Fla., and her parents still live there. My wife also lived in that region briefly as a child, so we decided to vacation there a few years ago.

I either forgot or I never knew that Pensacola has a reputation as being the “Redneck Riviera.” I do know we had a blast while we were there, though, so the reputation makes sense.

My fondest memory is of gorging on catfish and more at The Cock of the Walk. That was some good redneck chow. We also caught glimpses of the Blue Angels performing while we were there, though we decided to avoid the traffic craziness of going to the beach to watch the show.

The city’s tourism chief seems more impressed with Pensacola’s “highbrow attractions” like the opera, ballet, theater, symphony and art museum, and it’s nice to have those opportunities for enlightenment for the rednecks who want them.

But I hate to hear this attitude: “I don’t have a fit when I hear [Redneck Riviera]. But it’s not a term we’re going to use to market our area. Pensacola is so beyond that now.”

Beyond that? If you’re beyond it, you need to get back to it. Embrace your inner redneckedness!