Twelfth Night Celebration

One Biloxi tradition rolled through downtown Sunday night to kick off a season of fun on the Gulf Coast.

Let the good times roll, Biloxi! The eighth annual celebration of the Twelfth Night kicked off by mingling with carnival royalty, turning off the Christmas lights at the Biloxi Lighthouse and a parade that made its way to revelers at City Hall. Susan Hunt with the Gulf Coast Carnival Association said, “When you kick it off, just expect friends, family, parties, and lots of fun.”

Twelfth Night marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas and the beginning of another known all too well to residents along the Coast. Les Cavaliers Mardi Gras Krewe President Randy Ladner said, “It is the 12^th day of Christmas so when it starts Mardi Gras, we call it Mardi Gras, but it’s really Carnival Season. So the whole season is a process.”

Hunt says seeing others enjoy the festivities highlights the true meaning of Carnival. “Just seeing the thrill, the young children, throw me something, and the families coming together is very, very important to me.”

With well over a month until Fat Tuesday arrives on February 25^th, the Twelfth Night celebration gives revelers a chance to reconnect with one another. “You get to reflect on who your friends are, getting to reacquaint yourself with old friends that you haven’t seen.”