Mardi Gras

Beads, baubles light up the night at Ocean Springs parade

By SHANNON DAVIDSON Special to the Sun Herald

SHANNON DAVIDSON/SPECIAL TO THE SUN HERALD John McCord from Fort Worth, Texas, shows off his costume at the Ocean Springs Carnival Association night parade Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, in downtown Ocean Springs.
SHANNON DAVIDSON/SPECIAL TO THE SUN HERALD John McCord from Fort Worth, Texas, shows off his costume at the Ocean Springs Carnival Association night parade Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, in downtown Ocean Springs.

OCEAN SPRINGS -- Revelers of the night braved the chill air to celebrate Mardi Gras with the Ocean Springs Carnival Association's night parade downtown Friday. Children were bundled cozily with winter jackets, scarves and mittens and their parents wrapped them in blankets as they waited for the parade to begin.

A Knight Parade was the theme for the eighth annual night parade, with the medieval period serving as inspiration. Excited spectators and participants kicked off the weekend celebrations ahead of fast-approaching Fat Tuesday.

Warren Kulo was in the vanguard of the procession as grand marshal.

Parade-float riders were met by thousands of eager bead-seekers as the parade rolled along the same route as the Ocean Springs Elks day parade, beginning on Front Beach then turning onto Porter Avenue, then Government Street and just south onto Holcomb.

"This is my first time participating in the Ocean Springs night parade," said Randy Bosarge, District 5 county supervisor. "Tonight, I'm feeling great! I'm honored to be a part of it. The Ocean Springs night parade always draws a big crowd. It's a little cold tonight but we'll survive. I think people will have a lot of fun."

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