Rain could ruin the first weekend of MS Coast Mardi Gras parades. Here’s the forecast

Martha Sanchez
·2 min read
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The Coast’s first Carnival parades will roll this Saturday, but forecasts say fans and riders might have one problem: the rain.

In Ocean Springs, where the Elks Club and Krewe of Unique Parade will roll at 1 p.m., the National Weather Service warned of showers, thunderstorms and heavy rain on Saturday. That weather is most likely to hit before the parade, and could bring between three-fourths and 1 inch of rain.

Patchy fog is also likely before noon, forecasts said. The expected high is 68 degrees.

Forecasts predict similar weather for the Pass Christian Carnival Association Parade, which rolls at 1 p.m.

Showers and thunderstorms are possible before 11 a.m., the forecast said, and Pass Christian could see up to a three-fourths inch of rain. Patchy fog is also expected in the morning, and the high is 69 degrees.

But the groups said they will roll regardless.

“We do it rain or shine,” said Dave Thexton, a chairman at the Ocean Springs Elks Carnival Parade.

The Pass Christian Carnival Association Parade may postpone in case of thunder or lightning, said captain Sabrina Bailey.

But “if it’s just a gentle rain,” she said, “we roll.”

MS Coast parade schedule

Paradegoers cheer for beads during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.
Paradegoers cheer for beads during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras parade in Biloxi on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.

Saturday, Jan. 27

1 p.m., Elks Club and Krewe of Unique Parade, Ocean Springs

1 p.m., Pass Christian Carnival Association Parade, Pass Christian

Saturday, Feb. 3

10 a.m., Children’s Walking Parade, Biloxi.

6 p.m., Long Beach Carnival Association Parade, Long Beach.

6 p.m., Krewe of Neptune Coronation Ball, Coast Coliseum, Biloxi

7 p.m., Gautier Men’s Club Parade, Gautier

Sunday, Feb. 4

11 a.m., Original Krewe of Barkloxi PAWrade, Point Cadet Pavilion, Biloxi

12 p.m., Krewe of Nereids Parade, Waveland Friday, Feb. 9

7 p.m., Ocean Springs Carnival Association Night Parade, Ocean Springs

Saturday, Feb. 10

12 p.m., Krewe of Diamondhead Parade, Diamondhead

12 p.m., Jackson County Carnival Association Parade, Pascagoula

2 p.m. Krewe of Gemini Day Parade, Gulfport

5:30 p.m., Krewe of Neptune Night Parade, Biloxi

Sunday, Feb. 11

12 p.m., St. Paul Carnival Association Parade, Pass Christian

1 p.m., Second Street Social Club Parade, Gulfport

1:30 p.m., North Bay Area Mardi Gras Association Parade, D’Iberville Monday, Feb. 12

5 p.m., Mystic Krewe of the Seashore Parade, Bay St. Louis

Fat Tuesday, Feb. 13

1 p.m., Gulf Coast Carnival Association Parade, Biloxi