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"CARNIVAL ON THE COAST" MARDI GRAS - MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST STYLE!

"Carnival on the Coast" is an exciting season for the young to the old, locals, & visitors! Elaborately decorated floats throw "treasures" (trinkets like beads, stuffed animals, logoed cups, doubloons, food items called "Moon Pies" and more) to eager bystanders! "Throw Me Something Mister" is a familiar phrase yelled out by on lookers to the carnival "Krewes" on the floats as they pass by hoping to "scoop" up some of these exciting items! On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, there are 23 parades, with Harrison County holding 14 of the Mardi Gras celebrations - the MOST on the Gulf Coast; Jackson County hosts 4 parades & Hancock County 5 parades. The Mardi Gras Season attracts over 450,000 people every year and continues to grow in popularity. Harrison County parades held in Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, & Biloxi - Mississippi.

In 1908, the Gulf Coast Carnival Association was the first Krewe to parade on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with 17 floats. Today there are 23 parades, a long way from one parade with 17 floats, with each parade having 20 or more floats! In 2005, Hurricane Katrina slowed the celebration, but did not stop the carnival season. The party continued even under adverse conditions with each city holding smaller versions of their parades. With the addition of two new parades in 2009, and in 2011 the Long Beach Carnival Association Parade making its debut as an evening parade, the coast continues "Carnival on the Coast" with the party getting bigger & better every year!

**Awarded American Bus Association (ABA) Top 100 Events 2003!
**Awarded Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Top 20 Winter Event 2010 & 2011!

Upcoming Mardi Gras Dates:

• 2013 - February 12
• 2014 - March 4
• 2015 - February 17
• 2016 - February 9
• 2017 - February 28
• 2018 - February 13
• 2019 - March 5
• 2020 - February 25
• 2021 - February 16

Mardi Gras Trivia: The March 9th and February 3rd dates are extra special, because those dates only occur once in a lifetime, each occurring roughly once every 100-150 years. The next date of March 9 is the year 2038. The closest many of us will see the Holiday to that date, in our lifetime, was 2000, and will hopefully again in 2011, when Mardi Gras will occur on March 8th. On the other end of the spectrum, Very few of us will see the next February 3 date, which is 2285! February 5th was the earliest this century, which occurred in 2008, the next one that early will be in 2160!

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3rd ANNUAL LONG BEACH CARNIVAL CLASSIC HALF MARATHON & 5K

January 19 (tentative)

Enjoy a scenic, flat and fast, out and back USATF certified half marathon course along Highway 90 from Long Beach to Pass Christian and back. Runners and walkers of all ages welcome! Race day fun includes music, food, beverages, and entertainment for all. Support stations provided approximately every 1.5 miles with water, sports drinks, and cheers of encouragement. Medical support and restrooms conveniently placed along the course. All runners receive a commemorative t-shirt, and ½ marathon entrants receive a finisher's medal upon finishing the race. All proceeds benefit the Carnival Association of Long Beach, a non-profit 501 (c3) charity that supports St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School and Gulf Coast community groups!  Come on...join in on this "classic cause!"  

Email lbcarnivalclassic@hotmail.com for complete details.

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38th ANNUAL OCEAN SPRINGS – ELKS MARDI GRAS PARADE

January 26 (tentative)

Traditionally Mississippi’s first parade of the season! Parade rolls through downtown Ocean Springs. Parade begins on East Beach by the site of the former Ocean Springs Yacht Club, continues through downtown Ocean Springs, and finishes at the Ocean Springs High School. Theme this year - "Let's Go Medieval!"

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10th ANNUAL LIZANA MARDI GRAS PARADE

January 27 (tentative)

Join us for the “funniest” parade in town – started with just 15 floats and now offers over 30 floats full of fun, goodies, & throws! This parade is a family oriented parade! Route: Parade begins @ Lizana Elementary School at 15341 Lizana School Road, continues to Cable Bridge Road, North to Moran Road and finishes back at the school!

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18th ANNUAL TIMBER RIDGE WOMAN’S MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 2 (tentative)

Decorated golf carts, bicycles, ATV’s & people…parade throughout the streets of Timber Ridge subdivision!

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46st ANNUAL KREWE OF NEREIDS MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 3 (tentative)

The parade route begins at the intersection of Drinkwater & Highway 90 in Bay St. Louis  (in front of the Bay St. Louis Governmental Annex Bldg) then rolls west ending at Auderder Street & Highway 90 in Waveland (disbanding in front of West End Restaurant)!  **The parade will travel WEST bound towards Waveland in the EAST bound lane - one straight route - from the Bay to Waveland!  GREAT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!

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24th ANNUAL GAUTIER MEN'S CLUB MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 9 (tentative)

Family Fun For ALL! This night parade is one of the best…come see for yourself!  Parade begins @ MS Gulf Coast Community College - Jackson County Campus on Highway 90 proceeds to Singing River Mall then ending back at college!

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42nd ANNUAL CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION OF LONG BEACH MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 9

Family friendly local Mardi Gras parade featuring lots of floats, throws and FUN! Great family FUN and a NIGHT parade!

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43rd ANNUAL KREWE OF GEMINI MARDI GRAS DAY PARADE

February 9 (tentative) 

Parade route through downtown Gulfport! Parade starts at 19^th Street and goes towards Highway 49, continues pass Hancock Bank & throughout downtown Gulfport!

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JACKSON COUNTY CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 9 (tentative)

Family Fun for everyone! Parade begins at Pascagoula & Ingall Avenue to Market Street, continues north to Jackson Avenue then south returning to start! Lots of throws and family oriented parade!

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KREWE OF DIAMONDHEAD MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 9 (tentative)

Approximately 30 units with mostly elaborately decorated golf carts unload beads, stuffed animals, candy and other Carnival treats to scores of outstretched hands! Parade begins at the Community Center and winds its way towards the Country Club!

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SECOND LINERS MARDI GRAS CLUB PARADE

February 9 (tentative)

Come enjoy the family fun atmosphere! The parade route starts at Nichols Elementary School, & ends at DC Bush Park on Esters Blvd, where the club sponsors a Mardi Gras Block Party with food & fun!

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3rd ANNUAL MARDI PARDI ECO ADVENTURE RACE TRIATHLON 2012!

February 10 (tentative)

Get ready to run, paddle, bike, and let the good times roll with an Eco Adventure Triathlon Race! The 5K run, 2-mile kayak paddle and 12-mile bike ride promotes Gulf Coast eco-awareness while highlighting the area's unique Mardi Gras culture. Participants can opt to run the 5K run only. Proceeds benefit the Live Oak Alliance of Mississippi (LOAM), a nonprofit environmental group to foster economic prosperity and enhance the area's quality of life by coordinating community-wide green programs.

For more information and to register online, visit www.MardiPardiAdventure.org

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83rd ANNUAL PASS CHRISTIAN MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 10

Parade starts at the corner of Davis Avenue and Second Street, proceeds to Scenic Drive turns west to Henderson Avenue, North to St. Louis, east to Church Street, south to Second Street, east on Second to Davis Avenue! Some consider this parade to be the "Best" of Mardi Gras! Don't miss this exciting event!  Hosted by the St. Paul Carnival Association!

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15th ANNUAL BILOXI CHILDREN’S MARDI GRAS WALKING PARADE

February 11 (tentative) 

Children's parade with wagons, strollers, and bikes all decorated in the Mardi Gras tradition!  Parade begins at the corner of Lameuse & MLK Blvd, continues south on Lameuse, and ends at the Biloxi Town Green. Participants need to arrive in the Saenger Parking Lot to sign in between 10am and 10:30am.  Sponsored by the City of Biloxi!

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43rd ANNUAL KREWE OF GEMINI MARDI GRAS NIGHT PARADE

February 12 (tentative)

See all of the wonderful sights of Mardi Gras during this unique night parade - complete with colorful costumes, floats, and other interesting Mardi Gras themed items!  Over 60 floats participate - meaning Fun for the whole family!

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6th ANNUAL KREWE OF DIAMONDS MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 12 

The Krewe of Diamonds parades through downtown Bay St. Louis. It's the Gulf Coast only predominantly African-American Krewe and this parade is one of the Bay’s BEST- attended by locals & visitors alike! This parade originally was the Krewe of Real People! Parade route is down Main Street, turns on to 2^nd Street on to Union Street continuing to Blaize Avenue in front of the Historic Depot!

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GULF COAST CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 12

Gulf Coast Carnival Association traces its roots back to 1908 as Biloxi's first Mardi Gras parade, which included 17 floats, 150 flambeau carriers, the new 12-piece Herald Newspaper Band, a grand marshal, the mayor and the councilmen. Today the Carnival Association continues the tradition begun over 103 years ago, with King D’Iberville and Queen Ixolib reigning over the largest Mardi Gras parade on the MS Gulf Coast with over 100 units!

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KREWE OF NEPTUNE MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 12

Join the Krewe of Neptune for Mardi Gras biggest party featuring large Double Decker floats from New Orleans, Marching Bands, and other Marching clubs parading through beautiful and historic downtown Biloxi!

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2nd KREWE OF CASA “WINDOWS TO THE FUTURE” MARDI GRAS GALA!

January 12 (tentative)

FUNdraiser featuring live music by the Myles Sharp Band, a live & silent auction and dinner! Set ups provided - BYOB! Come out for a GREAT, FUN event while helping children! Proceeds benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for abused and neglected children of Hancock County! 

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3rd ANNUAL KREWE OF LEGACY MARDI GRAS BALL

January 12 (tentative)

Enjoy dinner & dancing the night away...leave a "Legacy" as you have FUN all evening long! Festivities include dinner, presentation of the Krewe of Legacy court, and dancing! BYOB...set ups provided! Casual attire.

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9th ANNUAL KREWE OF CADUCEUS MARDI GRAS BALL!

January 12 (tentative)

FUN event! Dress is formal, casual, or costume if you prefer to get into the "spirit!" Enjoy watching the presentation of the court, followed by revelry, dancing, and fun! Fun and music provided - you bring your favorite beverages and food! Call for details!

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46th ANNUAL KREWE OF NEREIDS MARDI GRAS BALL

January 19

You're invited to join in the FUN with the presentation of 2012 royal court and beautiful tableau, and then afterwards, enjoy a wonderful dinner and dance! Strictly Formal Attire - evening gown & tuxedo required for supper dance.  No charge for viewing the tableau, but must call for invitation.  Supper Dance cost associated - Call or check website for tickets to one or the other or both!  Sponsored by the Krewe of Nereids!

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23rd ANNUAL ORANGE GROVE CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION MARDI GRAS PARADE

January 26 (tentative)

Family oriented parade which begins at Harrison Central 9^th Grade, precedes North to Dedeaux Road, then West to Highway 49 to Ashley Drive!  Plenty of throws...and lots of FUN!

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5th ANNUAL KREWE OF LITTLE RASCALS CHILDREN MARDI GRAS PARADE

January 26 (tentative)

Children parade with bikes, wagons, shopping carts, walking, skate, or just about anything NON-motorized around the park. Awards given for the best costume and float contest! Sponsored by City of Pascagoula! 

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3rd ANNUAL "THE MARDI GRAS DRAW!"

January 31 (tentative)

Start the Mardi Gras Season off with a "buck"...well many "bucks!" Enjoy a FUNdraising evening featuring a dinner, silent auction, dancing to live entertainment by "Coast" and of course, the DRAWDOWN - worth $4,000! Now you can have a lot of fun with that - "Throw Me A BUCK" please! Don't miss this exciting evening - you could be the lucky winner! Proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Elementary in D'Iberville!

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23rd ANNUAL MYSTIC KREWE OF PINE ISLAND MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 2 (tentative) 

Family friendly parade with lots of throws and family FUN!  Join in on the FUN...and catch lots of "goodies!"  Parade line up begins @ Johns' Bayou Road @ 12 Noon beginning with a tail gating party! 

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CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION OF LONG BEACH MARDI GRAS BALL!

February 2 (tentative)

You're invited to join in the FUN with the presentation of 2013 royal court and beautiful tableau, and then afterwards, dance the night away!  Sponsored by Carnival Association of Long Beach!

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KREWE OF NEPTUNE TABLEAU & SUPPER DANCE

February 2

Join the Krewe of Neptune for Mardi Gras biggest and best party on the coast. Featuring two of the hottest bands in the Southeast, Rosco Bandana and The Molly Ringwalds. Dress is strictly formal. Food, beer and wine is included and you are allowed to bring in your own beverages of choice.

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5th ANNUAL OCEAN SPRINGS CARNIVAL ASSN MARDI GRAS NIGHT PARADE!

February 8 (tentative)

Parade begins @ the intersection of Ward Avenue & Government Street, rolls east on Government Street to Magnolia Street, South to Porter Avenue, West to Washington Avenue, North to Government & back to Ward Avenue! Hosted by the Ocean Springs Carnival Association!

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5th ANNUAL KREWE OF LEGACY MARDI GRAS PARADE!

February 9 (tentative)

Floats, horse & buggies, golf carts, antique cars & more parade throughout a 5-mile circular route North of Interstate 10! The parade starts & ends @ Neco’s Market Place @ the intersection of Vidalia & Cable Bridge Road (Exit 24) – Exit North on Firetower Road to Vidalia Road, then east on Vidalia Road to Cable Bridge Road!

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ST. PAUL CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION MARDI GRAS BALL!

February 9 (tentative)

Want to feel like royalty while on the MS Gulf Coast? Well join in the FUN with the presentation of 2013 royal court and beautiful tableau, and then afterwards, dance the night away! Set ups provided - BYOB!  Ticket purchase required prior to ball - For more information contact St. Vincent De Paul School @ (228) 222-6000 for tickets. Proceeds support St. Vincent de Paul School! Sponsored by St. Paul Carnival Association!

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25th ANNUAL NORTH BAY ASSOCIATION MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 10 (tentative)

North Bay Carnival Association Mardi Gras parade features approximately 70-units and stretches from LeMoyne Boulevard in St. Martin all the way to Central Avenue in D'Iberville with parade goers waiting for all the "goodies" to catch thrown from all the floats!

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29th ANNUAL BAY ST. LOUIS KREWE OF KIDS' MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 10 (tentative)

Children parade with bikes, wagons, shopping carts, walking, or just about anything NON-motorized down Dunbar Avenue to Highway 90 & back!

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GULF COAST CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION CORONATION BALL

February 11

Event pays tribute to historical and literary themes yearly with different tableaus and masked royalty steeped in the kind of ceremonal drama worthy of a classical epic. While the colors, the decorations, and the costumed characters vary significantly from year to year, the selection and composition of the royal court does not. There are always eight dukes, eight maids, two royal pages, and of course, the king and queen all presented to the public for the first time!  Don't miss the presentation!