Krewe of Diamonds Rolls for 8th Time in the Bay

Beads were flying in Hancock County on Tuesday. The Krewe of Diamonds rolled for their 8th year in Bay St. Louis.

The theme this year was Love and Happiness. Corrinn Burton, treasurer for the Krewe of Diamonds, says, "Just because of the love we have for Carnival time, and the happiness that we bring to the community and everyone that we see smiling along the parade route."

Sharon Alexander, a founding member of the Krewe of Diamonds, says, "It’s a hometown parade. I mean, you pass in front of people’s houses, they love it." Mikki Larsen, a Mississippi resident, says, "This is my first parade, so I thought I’d get out and enjoy it. Beads and throws and seeing people I haven’t seen."

Even some people from the other side of the world came to enjoy their first Mardi Gras on the Gulf Coast. Nicole Fitzgerald, a resident of Germany, says, "My husband, he’s from New Orleans, and he said I have to come to Mardi Gras, and his parents live here too, his dad and sister. So we go to a lot of parades, we have a lot of fun. Yeah!"

This German native says she enjoyed her time on the Coast so much that she’ll make sure to return next year. Fitzgerald closes, "A lot of colors, a lot of fun people, a lot of beads, and just fun, and I meet a lot of great people here. It’s a lot of fun."

The Krewe of Diamonds says they’re already planning for next year. The theme for 2016 is Bollywood Nights.