The parade routes have been paved. The barricades and safety ropes are in place. The floats are in town and ready to go. It’s Mardi Gras parade time.
The Krewe of Neptune, whose floats made their way from Slidell, La., to Biloxi this week, will roll Saturday at 5:30 p.m. with Grand Marshall John Schneider, who parlayed his “Dukes of Hazzard” stardom into successful acting and recording careers.
Then Gulf Coast Carnival Association parade, after a Lundi Gras coronation at the Coast Coliseum, will roll on Fat Tuesday at 1 p.m.
The big question: The weather.
Forecasters say skies will be overcast Saturday but there’s only a 20 percent chance of rain. The forecast for Tuesday is the same.
“That’s the big question every Mardi Gras: ‘What’s the weather going to do?'” said Biloxi Police Chief John Miller. “Typically, we see between 50,000 and 80,000 people for the parades, and we know people are coming regardless of the weather.
“We’re asking them be sure to arrive early, be aware of their surroundings, watch their children, don’t drink too much and have a great time.”
See Mardi Gras safety tips
See the Mardi Gras traffic plan
See the Neptune parade route
See the GCCA parade route
Trivia and King Cake, all part of First Friday
Biloxi’s First Friday, returning after a two-month hiatus, kicks off the month with a three-hour event beginning this evening at 5 p.m.
The affair, a Biloxi Main Street event taking place downtown throughout Rue Magnolia in the Biloxi Art District, will feature a Downtown Biloxi Trivia contest and a King Cake Baby contest at participating businesses for prizes.
Other attractions include a live performance by Bruce Kirkwood at 5:30 p.m., cold brews and muffelata pasta at the Threaded Cork, a ribbon cutting for the new lighting on the Rue, and specials from participating businesses.
Elsewhere this weekend: Biloxi High takes on D’Iberville High at MGM Park, the Winter Classic Horse Show continues at the Harrison County Fair Grounds, the Temptations & Four Tops and Oak Ridge Boys will each be at the IP, and Mariah Carey will perform at the Beau Rivage.
Visit the Biloxi Main Street website
See the First Friday flyer
See the March Biloxi Community Calendar
News & notes: City Desk, Bus routes, city council
City Desk: This week’s edition of the City Desk podcast, recorded Thursday morning at Biloxi City Hall, focuses on Mardi Gras safety with guest Major Chris De Back of the Biloxi Police Department. To listen, click here.
CTA Mardi Gras schedule: On Saturday and Tuesday during the Mardi Gras parades, the Coast Transit authority will use alternate routes with transfer points between Biloxi Upper Elementary north parking lot on Irish Hill and under the I-110 overpass on Diaz Street near the IP Casino. This will begin on Saturday at 3:20 p.m. and on Tuesday at 8:35 a.m. To visit the CTA website, click here.
City Council: The Biloxi City Council will not meet on Tuesday because of Mardi Gras. The next meeting will be March 12 at 6 p.m. To see more about city council, including a complete meeting schedule, click here.
