Biloxi hosts 118th Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras parade
BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV) — Parade goers lined the streets of Downtown Biloxi for the annual Gulf Coast Carnival Association Parade on Fat Tuesday. It is one of the largest parades on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and this year marks 118 years for GCCA.
One woman from St. Louis, Missouri says she loves Mardi Gras on the Mississippi Coast and will continue coming back for as long as she can.
“I came down here for Mardi Gras because I’d been a few years ago, and all of a sudden, I’m almost 85 and I figured I’d better get my butt down here one more time,” said Soun Rego Ross from St. Louis. “I love the fact that I get beads and I take them home and my grandchildren love them. I love Mardi Gras. I think it’s a wonderful celebration of people of all walks come together, and it’s lovely.”
More than 100 floats came down the streets of Biloxi and attendees of all ages, coming from all over the country, spent the day catching amazing throws, barbecuing, and sharing time with family and friends.
“What bring us to south Mississippi to celebrate Mardi Gras is trying to find a different environment. Some parts of Louisiana be like too much violence to bring the kids, so, you know, we find a different environment to bring the kids just to see if other cities is different from where we’re from,” said Waun from Louisiana.
“What I like about Mardi Gras is the traditions and that we all celebrate and have fun,” said Lehgyn from Louisiana.
Every year we see new faces who are experiencing Mardi Gras for the very first time.
“This is my first time ever being here. I didn’t really know what to expect. We got told to come down here — I’m in the Navy attached to a ship over in Ingalls. I didn’t know what to expect but it’s actually really cool,” said Chris Steerman from Crosby, Texas. “I was texting the wife earlier and I was like ‘Hey, next year we’re gonna have to come out. We’re gonna have to make it a thing. Take some time off of work, bring the kids out here, because I think that they’re really love it — just the atmosphere and everybody having a good time.”
This marks the end of the 2026 carnival season here on the Mississippi Coast. Next Mardi Gras will be held on February 9, 2027.
