“We’re expecting sunny skies and temperatures of 50 degrees, so we asking parents and kids to bundle up and come out to the parade,” Sherry Bell says of Saturday’s annual Mardi Gras Children’s Walking Parade in downtown Biloxi.
The procession – children 12 and under, and no motorized vehicles, just bicycles, skates, skateboards, scooters and wagons – begins at noon at the I-110 overpass at Howard Avenue, proceeds east through the Vieux Marche, and south on Lameuse Street before wrapping up at the Town Green, where the city will have free refreshments. Also on tap is a costume and float contest geared to the theme “New York, New York,” with cash prizes and trophies.
“People can register, all the way up until 11 a.m., right there at the start of the parade,” said Bell, assistant director of Biloxi’s Parks and Recreation Department. “We already have 150 kids and I expect to see 50 to 60 more register that morning. As far as the weather, we don’t think it’s going to be an issue. It’s Mardi Gras.”
Registration info: To read more about the parade and to print a free registration form, click here.
Weekend preview: Parades, bed races, concerts and more
The Children’s Mardi Gras Walking Parade is merely one of the parades rolling this weekend. You’ll find parades in several neighboring cities, a bed race and Mo-Jo Mardi Gras festival and ball at the IP, Heart and Jeffrey Osborne at the Hard Rock, Montgomery Gentry at the Beau Rivage, and a community theater production at Biloxi Little Theater.
Find details on each of these events and others by clicking here.
‘Perfect parade weather’ for Tuesday
Sunny skies and cool temperatures should provide a perfect backdrop for Gulf Coast Carnival’s parade through downtown Biloxi on Tuesday, according to Captain of Carnival Kenny Holloway.
“We’re expecting large crowds and we’ll have more than 100 units in the parade,” Holloway said of the 1 p.m. procession. “It’s going to be a little bit chilly, but it’s also going to be sunny. To be honest, that’s perfect parade weather.”
Those hoping to get a true appreciation for the pageantry of Carnival can see the presentation of the king and queen and their royal courts on Monday night at the Coast Coliseum. The public should be seated no later than 7:30 p.m. to view the free show.
To see background on Gulf Coast Carnival, photos and the parade route, click here.
News and notes
Let there be light: The two-day ceremony to re-dedicate the Biloxi Lighthouse is only a week away. To find out how you can be involved and even take a tour of Biloxi’s signature landmark, click here.
Traffic update: To see the status on road work throughout the city, click here.
Weather report: To see the status of weather in Biloxi, as well as the forecast through Fat Tuesday, click here.
