Thousands downtown for parade|[02/18/07]
Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 18, 2007
“Beads, beads, beads,” the crowd roared as thousands lined Washington Street before the Sixth Annual Downtown Vicksburg Mardi Gras Parade.
Floats, decked out in seasonal regalia – everything from crawfish and alligators to masks and confetti – came parading through downtown Vicksburg just after 2 Saturday.
Cousins Taylor Johnson, 6, and Aaliyah Johnson, 4, were right in the middle of the action for their first-ever Mardi Gras parade.
“We’re catching beads,” Aaliyah yelled as beads flew overhead.
The sunny skies and temperatures in the high 50s certainly were a factor to people coming out in droves.
“There were probably twice as many as last year because it rained last year,” said Vicksburg Main Street assistant director Erin Hern. “It was windy, but good. It’s a very family-oriented atmosphere.” About 1,000 attended last year.
Fourteen-year-old Zoe Kinsella of Vicksburg and her friend, Emily Hurtt, 13, from Terry, were sporting a sign for their favorite country group, The PovertyNeck Hillbillies. The band performed at Friday’s Fun Country Night and stuck around to lead the parade as grand marshals.
“I’m in love,” Zoe said.
Krewes from the 35 floats threw handfuls of goodies to the bead-hungry crowd.
Eighty-eight-year-old Mary Helen Sultan was one of the many revelers who collected a mountain of beads that she piled around her neck.
“I just love it all,” she said. “This is really exciting.”
Watson Davenport, 6, was in the spirit of Mardi Gras with a mask that covered most of his face and a spiky purple, green and gold hat. His get-up was similar to that of his grandfather’s, David Haworth.
The two of them were counting on a full shower of beads from the Flower Center float, on which Haworth’s daughter and son-in-law were riding.
“I’m ready,” Haworth said before the float neared his family’s chosen hot-spot.
The Krewe of Danny Hearn Trucking, one of two pirate ship floats, had a cannon that shot confetti into the crowd as it cruised the 11 blocks from Belmont to Jackson streets.
The effect landed the krewe a first-place for Best Business float.
Some floats had people grooving to festive songs, such as “Mardi Gras Mambo.”
Other floats were adorned with festive tinsel, balloons and people throwing everything from beads to T-shirts and candy.
Mardi Gras, a literal translation of “Fat Tuesday,” ends the festival season before Lent, which begins Wednesday with Ash Wednesday and marks the period of fasting before Easter.
But, for 13-year-old Andrew Holmes and 11-year-old T.J. Ramshur, who came dressed in king’s hats and a feather boa, the festive holiday means one thing.
“It’s all about having fun,” T.J. said.
While he didn’t think to bring a bag for the throws he caught, he had a plan.
“We have pockets and necks,” he said.
Parade winners were: