Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Celebrates Irish Heritage with 2005 St. Patrick’s Day Festivities

MISSISSIPPI’S GULF COAST – The “luck of the Irish” will blanket Mississippi’s Gulf Coast with green beads, green beer, and great entertainment for 2005 St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

The Hibernia Marching Society begins St. Patty’s Day celebrations on Saturday, March 12 with the annual 5K run/walk, which begins at the Biloxi Library on Lameuse Street in downtown Biloxi at 10 a.m. with registration one hour before. Following the race, the parade rolls at 2 p.m. from the Biloxi Yacht Club along U.S. 90 and through downtown Biloxi featuring bands, military units, flag bearers, bagpipers, leprechauns, a horse-drawn carriage with the parade’s Grand Marshal and Colleen, and colorful floats tossing Irish trinkets, green beads and doubloons.

“What started out as a small group activity has grown into an organization of 200 that has paraded since 1978 on the Coast,” said Barb Nannery, parade captain.  “In my 13 years with Hibernia, I’ve grown to love this outstanding tradition.  This day parade is safe and family oriented, and the ‘throws’ like stuffed animals and goodies are really geared toward children.”

The festivities continue Sunday, March 13 with the Shenanigans St. Patrick’s Parade in Gulfport. At 2 p.m. the parade will begin and roll along Courthouse Rd., U.S. 90 and Tegarden Rd. Mr. Fennigan, the traditional Shenanigan mascot, will serve as grand marshal this year and lead the way for a variety of marchers, antique cars, bagpipers and themed floats.

“St. Patrick’s Day activities on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast are an outstanding opportunity for visitors to experience our local culture, heritage, and festive family atmosphere,” said Stephen Richer, executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For information on Hibernia Marching Society and the Biloxi St. Patrick’s Day parade, contact Barb Nannery, parade captain, at 875-0267.  For information on participating in the Gulfport Shenanigans St. Patrick’s Parade, contact lineup chair Terry Calvert at 228-864-6211.