Mardi Gras Parades Kick Off This Weekend on the Coast
This year’s parade starts rolling at 2 p.m. at Goldin Sportsplex. Just like last year, you can expect to see some familiar faces in the lineup, including members of our WXXV news team. Edwin Wright, Orange Grove parade captain, says, "We’re looking for a great turnout. We’ve got about 33 participants and at least half of those are floats, a lot of walking and dance teams, Boy Scouts, R.O.T.C. from Harrison Central."
About 30 miles to the east, barricades are already set up for the 40th annual Ocean Springs Elks parade. Mark Dunston, Interim Police Chief for the Ocean Springs Police Department, says, "We also have a second krewe this year, Krewe of Unique, so it’s going to be back to back parades."
The Ocean Springs Elks parade rolls at 1 p.m. The route begins on Front Beach and promises to have a little something to suit everybody’s palate. Randy Oliver, Manager of Candy Cottage, says, "It’s going to be fun and we like to see people milling around, especially the kids, and we’ll definitely be here and we’ll be open. We’ll have pralines ready in the morning fresh."
While the pralines will be fresh, the Krewe of Legacy will be Frozen. That’s the Pass Christian parade’s theme anyway. The 7th annual Krewe of Legacy also rolls Saturday at 1 p.m. at Neco’s Marketplace. Gary Seymour Jr., Krewe of Legacy Parade Director, says, "We have characters throughout the parade, Mickey and Minnie. We do it for the kids because when you’re going down the road, you see the kids eyes just light up, you know you’ve done a good job."
Whether you’re in the Pass or in Ocean Springs, Dunston offers this advice: "Please do not get in the way of the floats. Stay behind the barricades. If it’s an area without barricades, stay on the sidewalk away from the roadway."
Police will be on hand keeping revelers in line and out of danger so the parades will be memories to cherish down the line.
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