The story of how Mardi Gras began on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Mississippi Mardi Gras is about more than dress-up or parades. There is just as much history in the state of Mississippi as there is anywhere else. In fact, the story of Mardi Gras starts in the City of Biloxi.

On February 13th, southern towns will celebrate Fat Tuesday — the same day that Pierre Lemoyne ‘Iberville landed on the Biloxi peninsula 325 years ago.

Anna Harris, executive director of the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum, tells us more…

“It was on that voyage that he and his party commemorated Mardi Gras. He wrote in his ships log that ‘It is Mardi Gras day.’ on March 4th, 1699 – making him, as far as we know, the first reported person to celebrate carnival in the Americas,” Harris told News 25.

Mardi Gras was celebrated in Mississippi by French settlers in the 19th century – the eighteen hundreds.

“But there wasn’t kind of an organized group and an organized celebration until 1908, and that is when they formed the Biloxi Carnivale and Literary Society,” Harris continues. “That is the first carnival group to form in the state of Mississippi, and it will celebrate its 116 anniversary this year. Today, we call it the Gulf Coast Carnival Association.”

Gulf Coast Carnivale Association began with only 17 floats.
Parades have more than 100 floats now, with King D’Iberville and Queen Ixolib ruling the route.

Chairman of the Board Keith Williams says the association is proud of its history.

“I feel a sense of pride, but that pride runs deep with a lot of people in Biloxi. It runs deep with the citizens of Biloxi,” Williams said. “Not only in Biloxi but on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it’s Mardi Gras – we ask everybody to come out. Enjoy a family fun atmosphere and whatever krewe you’re in, enjoy Mardi Gras on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

1908 may have been later than other cities began organized celebrations, but Biloxi was founded by the man who brought Mardi Gras to America.

So Mississippi deserves at least a little credit according to Williams.

“If D’Iberville wouldn’t have landed here, then… what would have happened? Where would it all have been?” he said.