This weekend, Picayune’s Krewe of the Pearl will host its fourth annual Mardi Gras parade.
According to mardigrasneworleans.com, the first Mardi Gras parade to roll in America was not held in New Orleans, but rather Mobile, Alabama.
The celebration of Mardi Gras began in the 1700 and 1800s medieval Europe, which included Rome, Venice and the French House of the Bourbons, the website states. The traditional “Bouef Gras,” or fatted calf was shared with the colonies of France as well.
In 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a location about 60 miles south of New Orleans and named it Pointe du Mardi Gras, the website states. Bienville also established Fort Louis de La Louisiane, which is now Mobile, in 1702. In 1703, the people of the settlement celebrated America’s first Mardi Gras.
The Krewe of the Pearl’s 2015 royalty will ride atop their own float, Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce Director April Lovelace said.
This year’s king and queen are Picayune Mayor Ed Pinero, Jr. and his wife Christie.
The court, which is comprised of dukes and maids, will also ride in the parade.
The 2015 dukes are Captain Brett Pinero, Trent Pinero, Huey Stockstill Jr., Dale Miller, Scott Alsobrooks, Tommy Tucei, Gary Furr, Sandy Kane Smith, Sherman Dodd, Jimmy Watts and Frank Ford.
This year’s maids include D’Ann Pinero, Melissa Pinero, Rocky Stockstill, Tessie Miller, Anna Alsobrooks, Toni Tucei, Stacey Furr, Cathy Smith, Becky Dodd, Dawn Timmons and Stacey Wilke.
The parade begins at 2 p.m. at Crosby Commons at 801 Goodyear Blvd. and will continue eastbound. The route continues left onto Main Street followed by a right onto 4th Street. After turning onto 4th Street, the route will turn southbound onto Highway 11 N. followed by a left onto Memorial Boulevard. The parade will end at El Mariachi at 1210 S. Haugh Ave. with a post parade party.
“The after party will provide parade goers with the opportunity to view the floats and socialize with other revelers,” Lovelace said. “There will be a live band compliments El Mariachi’s management.”
Learn more about the Krewe of the Pearl by visiting their Facebook page at Krewe of the Pearl.
Anyone interested in joining the Krewe can find applications at the Chamber’s website at www.picayunechamber.org. Contact the chamber at 601-798-3122.