This year’s Caerus Mardi Gras Parade, set for 11 a.m. Saturday, will roll – rain or shine.
“There will be no cancellation this year,” said Melissa Saucier, parade director. “It is a unanimous decision between parade officials and the City of Hattiesburg. The Hattiesburg Caerus Mardi Gras Parade will roll on Saturday, rain or shine!”
That should make Pine Belt residents happy after last year’s parade was canceled due to the prediction of inclement weather. But bring your poncho and rubber boots, just in case things get a little soggy.
In its eighth year, the parade will include a number of floats, walking groups and plenty of beads and other trinkets.
“A highlight of this year’s parade will be in the addition of the Honey Island Clydesdale horses pulling a big red wagon,” Saucier said. “These are the same horses featured in the Budweiser beer commercials.”
This year’s parade will lead off with the University of Southern Mississippi cheerleaders riding a Hattiesburg fire truck.
The parade is presented by Keith’s Superstores with sponsor partner Magnolia Graphics.
“We are honored to have the ARC Freedom Riders in this year’s parade,” Saucier said. “The Freedom Riders are special needs children and adults who are pushed in jogging wheelchairs from start to finish.”
According to Saucier, participants in this year’s parade range from hospitals and clinics, law offices, contractors, banks, restaurants and just about every local business in the area.
Floats will also be coming from New Orleans and north Mississippi to participate in the parade.
Saucier anticipates more participation and support than ever for the 2019 parade.
“Mayor Toby Barker and Chief Anthony Parker and all city departments are excited and very welcoming to the upcoming parade,” she said. “We encourage parade-goers to come early, hungry and ready to catch some really good stuff. Throws include beads, trinkets, stuffed animals, cups, cookies, snacks and much more.”
Saucier said float participants collect throws year-round to have ample throws to last the duration of the parade.
The parade will follow its usual route along the perimeter of the University of Southern Mississippi campus. The parade will line up along the Hwy. 49 North Service Road and running alongside Hwy 49 south from Fourth Street up to Boot Country, proceeding along the service road south to Hardy Street, right on Hardy proceeding west to 38th Avenue and ending at Morningside Drive.
There will be portable restrooms along the parade route as well as handicapped restrooms located in the parking lot at First Bank.
Other events for the day include the Children’s Center for Communication and Development’s annual Children’s Classic, which kicks off at 8:30 a.m. The USM Women’s basketball team has a game at 4 p.m., so parade-goers are encouraged to spend the day around the USM campus for an array of family-fun activities.
There is no deadline to enter the parade. You may enter into the lineup with all required materials – entry form, fee, DL and insurance. Line up opens at 6 a.m. and will be on a first-come first-served lineup order.
Saucier said floats must be loaded with throws and décor upon entry to lineup. “Only float and vehicles participating in the parade will be allowed to enter the lineup area,” she said.
