Colorful beads and candy flew through the air Friday during the Picayune School District Early Headstart’s 13th annual Mardi Gras parade.
Early Headstart director Pam Thomas said this event provides a wonderful opportunity to involve the parents, students and children from Southside’s Upper and Lower Elementary.
“It also involves members in our community,” Thomas said. “People come out to be involved in the parade and support our school.”
Students ranging in age from six months to 3-years-old participated in the festivities.
Thomas said this event is important because it involves the parents.
“Parents are our children’s first teachers,” Thomas said. “By involving themselves in school activities, it helps to promote positive social and emotional development.”
Headstart family engagement manager Sylvia Mark said that this parade is important for working parents.
“Sometimes our parents don’t get a chance to attend our school events,” Mark said. “This is one of the times they can come and participate.”
Mark said the children decorated parade floats while parents named the krewes.
“All the beads and throws were donated by the parents and Headstart provided beads that were donated from last year’s Mardi Gras celebrations,” Mark said.
Serenity Garretson is the mother of 2-year-old Headstart student Jenesis.
“This is my second parade and I love it,” Garretson said. “It gives the children something to look forward to. I’ve been involved both years. It’s very important because it lets parents know that their children are being take care of.”
Tracey and John Carlson are grandparents to 2-year-old John James IV. This was their grandson’s first year to ride in the parade.
Tracey said her grandson was excited about riding in the parade.
“It’s an awesome event that they hold for the parents and children,” John said.
Picayune School District Superintendent Dean Shaw said that the Mardi Gras parade is good for the children and community.
“There were lots of people involved in making this happen,” Shaw said. “I appreciate all the time put in by our volunteers who donated their trucks and trailers. This could not have happened without all their help.”