Page 103 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2016

Mardi Gras organizations on the
Mississippi Gulf Coast. It traces
its roots back to 1908 and Biloxi’s
first Mardi Gras parade, which included
17 floats, 150 flambeau carriers, the new 12-piece Herald Newspaper Band, a grand marshal, the mayor and the councilmen. The monarchs were the first King d’Iberville and Queen Ixolib (Biloxi spelled backwards). Eight years later, the Biloxi Carnival
and Literary Association was incorporated. Its purpose was “to promote the study of literature and particularly Greek mythology; to give an annual carnival and street pageant in the City of Biloxi, Mississippi, by artistic floats representing Greek mythology and historic events.”
In 1929, the Biloxi celebration expanded to include other Coast cities, and around 1949 the Biloxi Carnival and Literary Association became the Gulf Coast Carnival Association. Biloxi’s Mardi Gras
has been celebrated every year except for war and Depression years. Today, the Carnival Association continues the tradition begun years ago, with King d’Iberville and Queen Ixolib reigning over parades
in Biloxi on Fat Tuesday. The identity of the King
and Queen remains a secret until it’s revealed in the local newspaper the Sunday before Fat Tuesday. The Association presents a coronation tableau at the Coast Coliseum.
The GCCA parade and parades of other carnival krewes attract large crowds and help boost tourism during a historically slow visitor period. Researchers’ studies show that one overnight visit by a motor coach group can leave up
to $25,000 in a local destination’s economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.
Gulf Coast Carnival Association
228.432.8806
www.gulfcoastcarnivalassociation.com
HAVING A BLAST at the Gulfport Parade.
Feb. 5 Feb. 6
7 p.m.
Ocean Springs Carnival Association
Feb. 7
noon 1:30 p.m.
St. Paul Carnival Association, Pass Christian North Bay Area, D’Iberville
Feb. 8 Feb. 9
5 p.m.
Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse, Bay St. Louis
noon
1 p.m.
2 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m.
Krewe of Diamondhead
Jackson County Carnival Association Krewe of Gemini, Gulfport day parade Krewe of Neptune, Biloxi
Wiggins and Stone County Chamber
1 p.m.
1 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
Bay St. Louis Krewe of Diamonds
Gulf Coast Carnival Association, Biloxi Krewe of Gemini, Gulfport night parade
GULF COAST PARADES