Final preparations are underway for Washington Parish’s two parades that will take place this coming weekend.
The MCCA parade in Bogalusa will roll on Saturday, March 1, and the Krewe of Pepe Parade will roll in Franklinton on Sunday, March 2. Mardi Gras itself will be on Tuesday, March 4.
The Bogalusa MCCA parade will start at 1 p.m. It will have approximately 40 authentic tractor-pulled and musically-equipped Carnival floats, carrying approximately 500 costumed revelers, tossing over 1 million pairs of Mardi Gras beads, MCCA Plush Beanie Bears, and thousands of souvenir throw items to thousands of parade spectators.
The entire MCCA parade stretches 1.5 miles from start to finish. The parade has previously been recognized as the third best Mardi Gras parade in Louisiana outside of New Orleans.
MCCA organizer Don Spiers said last year, “We are placed and discussed as third best following Lafayette and Houma, and ahead of cities including Baton Rouge and Shreveport!”
Spiers added, “Such achievements in a community our size points clearly that there is magic in the organization of the Magic City Carnival Association.”
Meanwhile, organizers of the Krewe of Pepe parade in Franklinton have also been busy in their preparations for the 2024 parade.
The Krewe of Pepe parade will roll at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 2.
It starts at the Farmers Market parking lot on Washington Street and will follow the traditional parade route through Franklinton.
