The Poor Economy Can't Stop Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is here once again, and the celebration on the Gulf Coast is as big as ever. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports.

People wait all year for Mardi Gras, the celebrations that will happen all across the coast today have been carefully thought out and planned for months. Mardi Gras is no longer celebrated on just this one Tuesday in February though, the celebration has been going on for weeks. Each weekend for the past month parades and balls have been taking place in towns from Pascagoula to Bay St. Louis. Crowds at some of these parades estimated at over 40,000 people. That all culminates with today’s festivities, with some the largest and most elaborate parades taking place in Biloxi and Gulfport, and one smaller affair. Parade Captain Carin Burton, spent yesterday preparing the King and Queen’s float for the Krewe of Diamonds parade in Bay St. Louis.

“It has the black covering that goes around, as well as the garland. The theme this year is Vegas nights, so we…..”

Carin Burton has been celebrating Mardi Gras since she was a baby. The Krewe of Diamonds parade route has been changed this year, there’s still so much construction going on with the recovery from Katrina. Even with the altered route and a country suffering from the worst recession in decades, Carin Burton says people need this celebration.

“This is the one day out the year where you can relax. It doesn’t cost anything, and anyone that wants to ride on our float it’s free admission, and to come and enjoy the route is also free. You know just to come out and have a good time with your family.”

Families will celebrate the tradition today with the last three parades of the season. For MPB News, I’m Phoebe Judge in Gulfport.