Temps warm up in time for Orange Beach parade

Blake Brown
·1 min read

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (WKRG) — The day started cool and cloudy, but the sun warmed things up just in time for the Orange Beach parade.

“As far as Mardi Gras, I’m ready. I’m ready to celebrate Fat Tuesday,” Tammy Vandebogart explained.

Live Fat Tuesday coverage: Mardi Gras 2024

Beads, moonpies and even more throws brought thousands of folks to Orange Beach on Fat Tuesday.

“We love Fat Tuesday,” Carla Jeffery said. “We love Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras at Orange Beach is outstanding. We’ve been here for about 3-4 years. It’s just wonderful and a great place to celebrate Fat Tuesday.”

The parade rolled down Perdido Beach Boulevard, and for some, it was their first time celebrating Mardi Gras, including Vandebogart who recently moved here from Phoenix.

“Just to see all the different floats, all the hard work that all of the different clubs have put into the celebration,” she said.

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While all eyes were on the parade, a surprise flyover caught folks’ attention as T-45C Goshawks from Training Air Wing Six, based at NAS Pensacola, made a quick appearance. Back on the ground, the party was still going strong.

“Iowa has no clue what a parade is. This is our second season here and I wish I could take this home so they all could see how wonderful this is,” said a reveler visiting from Iowa.

The two-mile parade route follows the coastline each year from west to east, making the experience a unique one these revelers don’t want to miss.

“We’ll be back. We already have reservations for next year,” the visitor continued.

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