Get ready for the fun.

From food to festivities, there will be plenty to do for the whole family this Saturday during the 18th annual Vicksburg Mardi Gras Parade followed by the 8th annual Carnaval De Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off.

Sponsored by the Vicksburg Main Street program, the parade is set to roll down Washington Street beginning at 4 p.m., said Kim Hopkins, who serves as the executive director of the main street program.

“The streets will began being blocked off early in the morning,” Hopkins said in preparation of the parade, which in years past has drawn crowds in the thousands.

And as of Tuesday, she said, the parade had 32 floats that will be participating.

“This is up from last year,” Hopkins said, adding there will be some that are participating for the first time.

“Golding Barge Line is participating this year,” Hopkins said, and Entergy/Grand Gulf.

Other floats signed up for the parade are the Krew of Blooms, sponsored by the Vicksburg Master Gardeners and the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library.

“They are looking for people to walk with them in the parade,” Hopkins said.

Serving as Grand Marshall for the parade will be Marcus Furniture. The family-owned Washington Street business has the honor this year, Hopkins said, since they are also celebrating their 120th anniversary.

The Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation sponsors the gumbo cook-off, and it will be held on Crawford Street outside the Southern Cultural Heritage Center.

“There are 11 teams this year,” executive director of the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation Nancy Bell said, and each will be competing in either the seafood and non-seafood categories.

Prizes will be awarded at 7:30 p.m. and will include first, second and third place awards in each category as well as a best-decorated site and a People’s Choice award. The first place winners in each category will take home a trophy and $200, Bell said.

Admission to the cook-off, which includes gumbo tasting, is $10 and $5 for children.

“Craft beer, hot dogs, bread pudding, king cake, cokes, and water will also be available, but they will cost extra,” Bell said.

Legal Tender will perform during the Carnaval De Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off, and the event will offer games for kids and a bounce house.

In case of rain, Bell said, the event would be held inside the SCHC auditorium.