Gulf Coast Carnival Association Parade

The Mardi Party has been going strong all day here on the Coast.

If there’s music, beads, and a sea of hands waving, it must be Mardi Gras on the Coast! Paradegoer Amanda Johnston said, “Here we don’t have to worry about the hoopla and all the stuff that you have to worry about in a lot of other places. It’s just everybody getting together having a good time.”

Once again, Downtown Biloxi was transformed into carnival central, with a sea of revelers stretching from Main Street, Highway 90, and Howard Avenue for the annual Gulf Coast Carnival Association.

Randy and Peggy Johnson traveled from Louisville, Kentucky to catch the Fat Tuesday action on the Coast and they say there’s no other place or parade they’d rather be at. “We love it. You can’t beat the weather here. You can’t beat the food and the people are absolutely fantastic, some of the friendliest people that we’ve met.”

As King D’Iberville and Queen Ixolib made their way through town, the thought of catching some cool throws or simply soaking up the whole experience was on the minds of many. Paradegoer Chloe Mathis said, “I like to catch the really cool beads that have stuff hanging off of them.”

“Just being here and having fun and then after this we’re going to enjoy some really nice seafood.”

Longtime paradegoers agree that this Biloxi tradition is fun for everyone, no matter your age. “It’s a party atmosphere, but you know, at the same time it’s a family atmosphere. We all party in a safe manner to where our kids and our mothers and the whole family are with us. It’s really a great time that we have together.”