Ocean Springs Carnival Association holds Mardi Hop

Also happening in Ocean Springs tonight was the Mardi Hop put on by the Ocean Springs Carnival Association, along with several downtown businesses.

After Blackwater Brass band led a small second line down Government Street, Mardi Hop participants dispersed to various downtown businesses to try and get a stamp at each for a chance to win gift cards from local restaurants and bars.

Mardi Hop was held in place of the Ocean Springs Night Parade that would have taken place tonight under normal circumstances. OSCA Board Member Eva Pund said, “It has been a wild journey for everybody because there has been a lot of unknowns. We’ve actually planned so many things, just for them to be canceled, understandably. But we’ve been– we were able to raise throughout the pandemic $7,000 for different organizations including the Cub Scouts and The Lord is My Help. So, ultimately that’s what it’s about is giving back to our community and we’re lucky and blessed that we’re able to do that.”

The event also featured a split-the-pot raffle that helps benefit the Lord is my Help.