Thousands attended Biloxi’s 118th Fat Tuesday parade honoring pop art and community
Parade route ran Main St to Biloxi Lighthouse, with 100+ groups
Police investigated a 911 report of gunshots and found nothing substantiating it
As the Carnival season comes to a close, thousands gathered in downtown Biloxi to see the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s 118th annual Fat Tuesday parade.
The theme to this year’s parade was “Pop,” paying homage to the Andy Warhol and the pop art movement. The parade hosted more than 100 groups, involving marching bands, sponsors and floats.
Reverend John Whitfield gives a speech before the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Starting on Main Street, the parade made its way onto Beach Boulevard then up Lameuse Street to Biloxi City Hall where many of the speakers leading the event were located. The parade then weaved through downtown Biloxi on Howard Avenue and then onto Porter Avenue where the parade ended at the Biloxi Lighthouse.
Reports on social media suggested shots were fired at the parade.
Lt. Candace Young, public information officer for Biloxi Police Department, said police did receive a 911 call Tuesday afternoon to report gunshots heard. Police investigated and found nothing to substantiate the call. “No witnesses. Nobody hit,” she said.
See our favorite photos from the event below.
A member of the Ole Biloxi Marching Club hands out flowers to members of the crowd during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A member of the Ole Biloxi Marching Club hands out flowers to members of the crowd. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Dancers from the Next Level Dance Company dance outside City Hall. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A member of the Ole Biloxi Marching Club hands out flowers to members of the crowd. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Members of the Ole Biloxi Marching Club walk down Lameuse Street. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A member of the Ole Biloxi Marching Club embraces a crowd member. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A member of the Ole Biloxi Marching Club hands out flowers to members of the crowd. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Members of the crowd cheer as they reach out to catch throws from floats driving down Lameuse Street. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Members of the crowd cheer as they reach out to catch throws from floats. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Members of the crowd cheer as they reach out to catch throws from floats. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Members of the crowd pose for a photo. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Members of the crowd pose for a photo. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Children reach out to catch Mardi Gras throws. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Majorettes from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College perform on Lameuse Street. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A child throws Mardi Gras beads from a float. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A parade participant throws Mardi Gras beads from a float. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Crowd members catch Mardi Gras beads. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Members of the crowd smile as floats pass by. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
The crowd cheers for Mardi Gras throws. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Trash from dropped throws accumulates on Lameuse Street. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Crowd members reach out to catch Mardi Gras beads. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Members of the crowd cheer as floats pass down Lameuse Street. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Members of the crowd cheer as floats pass down Lameuse Street. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A Mardi Gras float in the form of a pirate ship drives down Lameuse Street. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
The outside of Biloxi City Hall is seen during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Crowds of people gather outside City Hall during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A Biloxi Police Officer high fives children as he rides down Lameuse Street during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Mark Mavar gives an introductory speech to the crowd during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Reverend John Whitfield gives a speech before the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Reverend John Whitfield gives a speech before the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Mayor of Biloxi Andrew Gilich gives a speech to the crowd before the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Mark Mavar, right, listens as Mayor of Biloxi Andrew Glitch, left, speaks during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Mark Mavar gives an introductory speech to the crowd during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Parade attendees lift their glasses to give a toast as they kick off the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Police officers ride down Lameuse Street on motorcycles during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Fat Tuesday parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
