The largest parade in the City of Vicksburg perhaps since the Union Army marched through downtown is set to roll Saturday.

“We have 127 entries for the parade,” organizer Angela Jenkins said. “The parade will feature local cheerleaders, high school bands and community groups all showing their support for Super Bowl XLIX and Vicksburg hero Malcolm Butler.”

More than 30 media outlets will be covering the festivities, including ESPN, Sports Illustrated, NFL Network, The Patriots media, The Associated Press along with ABC, NBC and CBS affiliates.

“We’ve gotten calls from organizations in other states wishing us well and waiting to see how the community responds,” Jenkins said. “We expect the largest crowd downtown for a parade that the city has ever seen.”

Parking downtown will be available in the two parking garages off Mulberry Street between Clay and South streets. Rain or shine, the parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Belmont Street and follow along Washington Street to China Street, then turn left at Mulberry Street and end at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. will present Butler the Key to The City after the parade at a special ceremony at the convention center. Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. has declared Feb. 17 through 22 Malcolm Butler Week.

The Sounds of Dynamite band from Alcorn State University, The Sonic Boom of the South band from Jackson State University and former Mississippi NFL players such as Glen Collins, Jimmie Smith, Chris Burkett, Tyrone Keys, and Fred Smoot as well as the thousands of well wishers will converge downtown to shower Butler with confetti.

“I am honored and humbled by the hometown support I have received,” Butler said. “I look forward to celebrating the great season and Super Bowl win with my hometown. It has been a whirlwind since the Super Bowl but I am excited to be home.”

After the festivities Butler will be signing autographs from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the convention center. “People can’t bring anything for him to sign, Butler has to sign what we will have available for him to sign,” Jenkins said. “Only 20 people at a time will be allowed into the convention center, so the line will move fast.”

Jenkins said anyone entering the convention center would have to pass through a security screening by the Vicksburg Police Department.

A graduate of Vicksburg High School and the University of West Alabama, Butler, a defensive back for the Patriots, gained immediate fame when he intercepted a Russell Wilson pass with 26 seconds remaining in the Super Bowl to clinch the 28-24 win for New England.
The improbable interception was replayed after the game on ESPN’s Sports Center, which also featured some notable facts about him.

Almost immediately Flaggs said he began receiving telephone calls, text messages and emails from residents suggesting the city do something to honor Butler.

“We’re very thankful that the young man involved in the Super Bowl was from Vicksburg,” Flaggs said.

Butler barely played in the first half the Super Bowl game against Seattle, then moved into the defensive lineup halfway through the third quarter with the Patriots trailing 24-14.On Seattle’s final drive, Butler made the improbable interception, got knocked back into the end zone, then sprawled forward to the 1-yard line and directly into NFL lore.