If you spent the last week obsessively refreshing your weather app, you weren’t alone. The organizers of the annual Lighthouse Krewe Mardi Gras Parade were right there with you, likely offering various sacrifices to the clouds in exchange for a dry Saturday. Luckily, the rain gods got the memo or at least agreed to a late-night shift. While the skies over Bolivar remained a moody overcast, the dreaded downpour stayed tucked away until evening, leaving the day perfectly dry for some serious bead-tossing business.
The Calm Before the Confetti
The party officially kicked off at Camp Margaritaville, where parade entries began snaking through the RV park as early as 7:30 AM. It was a beautiful, chaotic scene of:
- Floats of all sizes (from “Grand Gala” to “Wait, is that a trailer?”)
- Decorated vehicles
- High-speed (relatively speaking) golf carts
Participants were seen frantically zip-tying the last of the purple, green, and gold tinsel before the judges made their rounds. The atmosphere was part competitive sport, part neighborhood stroll. One local business owner was even spotted taking notes on the competition, admitting, “I’m already looking for ideas for next year.” That’s the spirit: if you can’t beat them, out-glitter them in 2027.
And the Trophy Goes To…
At 10:30 AM, the tension peaked as awards were handed out. Trophies were awarded for first, second, and third place across four categories: Large Float, Small Float, Vehicle, and Golf Cart. However, everyone knows the real “Oscar” of the morning is the Kids’ Choice Award. Because let’s be honest: if you can impress a judge who is primarily fueled by sugar and the hope of catching a stuffed animal, you’ve truly made it.
4 Miles of Mardi Gras Magic
Promptly at 11:30 AM, the Parade Marshall gave the signal, and the convoy began its trek down Highway 87 toward Gregory Park.
The entire four-mile stretch was a wall of sound and color. Crowds lined both sides of the road, hands in the air, perfecting the “Bolivar Reach,” which is that specific athletic stance required to snag beads, trinkets, and “goodies” flying from the floats.
A Two-Decade Tradition
For over 20 years, this parade has been one of the largest annual gatherings on Bolivar. Beyond the plastic jewelry and the clever golf cart decorations, it’s about a community coming together to celebrate. Whether you were on a float or on the curb, Saturday proved once again that it takes more than a few grey clouds to dampen the Lighthouse Krewe spirit.
And the Winners are
More Pictures – click image
