By By Janet Little Cooper
Floats filled with masked individuals tossing Moon Pies and beads will flood the streets Saturday afternoon.
The annual Ladies of Essence Mardi Gras parade is scheduled to kick off this Saturday, Feb. 25 at noon.
The Grand Marshall for this year's parade is Mobile Mayor Sam Jones. Jones will lead the parade out of City Hall across the railroad tracks, turning right on Church Street, then right on Main Street, right on Ashley Street, and left onto Carver Avenue before disbanding at Houston Avery Park.
According to Ladies of Essence President, Brenda Watkins, no bikes, scooters, walkers, go-carts or four wheelers will be allowed in this year's parade. Anyone interested in participating in Saturday's parade should meet at City Hall between 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. There is no charge to enter a float in the parade.
"I think the participation will be good this year," Watkins said. "A lot of people have been calling me to get information about the parade. I am expecting it to be a pretty good parade this year."