By Anna Williams
The Carnival Association of Long Beach (CALB) is planning to let the good times keep rolling and the sparkles keep shining, because, as Christmas and New Year celebrations roll out of town, it is officially Mardi Gras season - and this year’s season will hold a brand-new event for the Long Beach community.
CALB will be hosting an all-Jeep Mardi Gras parade to kick off the carnival season on January 22, 2022, at 6 p.m. The event has been named “Jeep-A-Gras” and is for Jeep and Mardi Gras enthusiasts alike.
The event will be held in addition to the annual CALB Long Beach night parade, set for February 19, 2022, at 6 p.m. The evening prior, February 18, will be the organization’s annual Coronation Ball.
This will be the first year that the Carnival Association of Long Beach has hosted a Jeep-specific parade, and organizers say that the addition of the event is mainly due to so many Jeep owners requesting admission into the annual traditional Mardi Gras parade in previous years.
“With so many Jeep owners on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the requests I’ve received for them to participate in the parade, it really makes sense to have a Mardi Gras parade dedicated to highlighting them,” said Jeep-a-Gras Coordinator Eddie Seal.
The parade route will start on Cleveland Avenue and continue to Jeff Davis, ending on 5th Street. The lineup will begin at the Long Beach High School stadium.
Those interested in participating in the Jeep-A-Gras parade are encouraged to email Seal at eddieseal2350@gmail.com or fill out a registration form located on the Carnival Association of Long Beach’s Facebook page. Information is also available on the organization’s website at www.LongBeachCarnival.com.
Of course, all residents are invited to attend the event, which will be free.
“Not only will this be a family-friendly and fun event, but the Carnival Association of Long Beach gives back to several local charities; so attending and supporting these events is ultimately giving back to the need in our great community,” said Seal.
