Sponsors of downtown Vicksburg’s 5th annual Mardi Gras parade could have some special New Orleans flavor this year, as evacuees diplaced by Hurricane Katrina are being sought to serve as grand marshals.

&#8220We want this year’s Mardi Gras parade to be dedicated to all the people affected by Hurricane Katrina,” said Rosalie Theobald, executive director of the Vicksburg Main Street program.

Main Street will likely seek help from local nonprofit agencies and churches that have participated in past parades and worked diligently to serve the needs of those living in Vicksburg and Warren County who had to evacuate the storm following its Aug. 29 landfall.

If enough are found, evacuees will walk at the beginning of the parade as grand marshals and with students from Jacob’s Ladder.

&#8220We want everyone from New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast or other places in Katrina’s path to be a special part of the parade,” Theobald said.

An estimated 100 evacuee families are still living in Vicksburg, according to the United Way of West Central Mississippi.

As in the past, area churches, clubs, civic groups, schools, business and other organizations will decorate trucks and other vehicles as floats.

The 2005 parade saw about 40 floats and an attendance that rivaled the recent Christmas parades, estimated at 10,000.

This year’s parade will roll down Washington Street Saturday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m.

Any evacuee who wants to participate must have proof of his or her former address and can contact the Vicksburg Main Street program by phone at 601-634-4527, by visiting the office at 701 Clay St., or by going to the Web site at www.downtownvicksburg.org.