About the Parade
Central Mississippi's annual celebration of Spring has been described as a "green Mardi Gras" and as a "lighthearted homecoming where everyone is king-and-queen-for a-day." It is also a celebration of the rebirth of Mississippi's capital city, a joyous celebration of what is "good and encouraging" about the heart of our state. It is a day where sense of humor and sense of place rule the day. It is a time to honor the good work of the UMC's Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children. It is a rambling, outrageous, hilarious ride down Capitol Street, starting and ending at Jackson's favorite gathering place, Hal & Mal's.
Mal's St. Paddy's Parade is many things to many people, but regardless of what words or descriptions one chooses to employ, it's really hard to ignore what began in 1983 in Downtown Jackson. The parade, the street dance, the children's activities, the run, the pet parade and all the other creative components under the banner of Mal's St. Paddy's Parade are permitted by the City of Jackson and Hinds County.
The festivities are all open to the public and everyone is encouraged to participate.
History of the Parade
Back in the early '80s, Malcolm White got a permit from the city, grabbed some friends, and had a little group stroll up Capitol Street. Dressed like characters from the plays of Tennessee Williams, those in the group were determined to have a good time, but it wasn't just about the fun: White's goal was bigger than that. He wanted to give Jackson the chance to celebrate something uniquely Jacksonian. By combining his love for Mardi Gras, culled from his experiences living in New Orleans in the '70s, with a rites-of-spring, St. Patrick's Day kind of feel, White created something wacky, funny, and extremely original, and it wasn't long before Mal's St. Paddy's Parade became a phenomenon.
You know something's become more than just an event when around it springs up an entire culture. The parade gives people an opportunity to express themselves in ways they can't otherwise, and over the years they have taken advantage of it in ways outlandish and creative and wonderful. From the O'Tux Society to the Krewe of Kazoo, Alabama Shakes to The Rude Men, the parade's been the epicenter for social and parading clubs too numerous to list. Music, too, has become integral–shouldn't expect anything else, this being Mississippi–as Mississippi blues artists and New Orleans-inspired brass bands converge on Downtown Jackson every year for both the parade and the slew of post-parade parties that carry on long into the night. Not the least of which, by the way, takes place over at Hal and Mal's, where, thirty years ago, it all got started.
About the Parade
Mal's St. Paddy's Parade starts at the corner of State St. and Court St. in Downtown Jackson, Mississippi and makes its way up to Capitol St. past the Old Capital Museum and then on to South Lamar St. where it makes it's way back to Court St.
History of the Parade
The parade is limited to 50 motor vehicle entries on a "First Come, First Serve" basis. Floats are judged by the Buckethead Judges who are keenly aware of the "home made" and spontaneous character of Mal's St. Paddy's Parade and especially appreciate participants whose presentation embodies this tradition.
Important Dates
February 8 - Application Deadline
February 13 - Floats notified only if they are NOT accepted. If you have applied and do not hear from the committee, you are in the parade.
February 21 - Mandatory information and Public Safety meeting
6:00 p.m. at Hal and Mal's
*ONE representative from each float must be present at this meeting
Download the Rules and Registration Form »
2013 Theme: Waters, Waters Everywhere
Nobody makes Mississippi come to life more colorfully than Wyatt Waters. Artist, teacher, visual historian, family man, friend, Wyatt's spent his career making beautiful art about the people and places of our great state. And for that we're gonna celebrate. So pick up a brush and help us paint downtown Jackson green as we celebrate Wyatt Waters and the Mississippi arts!
History of the Parade
Downtown Jackson–it's the beating heart of Mississippi, the center of expression for our culturally-rich state, our capital, and our economic hub. It has great music venues and restaurants like Hal & Mal's, amazing hotels like the King Edward, and enthralling museums like the Mississippi Museum of Art. A walk down Capitol Street reveals Downtown's fine architecture and unique Southern urban ambience, which you can't find anywhere else. Downtown isn't just a place filled with things to do and people to see–it's an experience, a continuing story in which you can be the protagonist. Downtown Jackson is what the Mal's St. Paddy's Parade calls home, and so for that and many more reasons than we can mention, Downtown's where you need to be.
To Learn more about Jackson, check out these websites:
Visit Mississippi
Visit Jackson
City of Jackson
Downtown Jackson Partners
