The city of Selma plans to get back to its French roots with an inaugural Mardi Gras parade.

The celebration will kick off at the St. James Hotel on Friday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m., with a performance from the Coolbone Brass Band, a music group based in New Orleans. The festivities continue the following day with a 10 a.m. parade along Broad Street that will conclude at the St. James Hotel with a festival, food, music and fun for all ages.

“We’re trying to maximize the entertainment and also trying to enhance the quality of life in the city,” Selma City Council President Corey Bowie said. “We want to encourage people to come out and have a good time.”

The city has been organizing the free events for two months, but has contemplated them for even longer. Initially, organizers also considered doing a Mardi Gras ball, but decided to go with a parade and festival instead.

The city encourages the public to come dressed in Mardi Gras-styled attire, including beads and masks.

The city asked schools throughout Dallas County, Perry County and Lowndes County to select a king and queen from their school to participate in the parade.

The public is encouraged to also join the parade. To do so, participants must turn in a registration form to Selma City Hall on Broad Street by Friday, Jan. 30 at 4 p.m.

Vendors interested in setting up on Water Avenue must submit a registration form and pay a fee to Selma City Hall. Bowie said he would like Selma’s downtown businesses to be a part of the festivities.

Bowie said the community’s involvement is essential to keeping exciting events like the Mardis Gras parade and festival going.

“It’s going to take the community to make this event a success,” Bowie said. “This is one day that we can come together to unify this community for a day of fun activities.”

It’s been over a week since the city has begun accepting forms, and eight have already registered to join.

“I’m very elated that we’ve had some participants to already register for the parade,” Bowie said. “It seems to me to be a sense of jubilation around the city with people talking about the Mardi Gras activities.”

To get parade or vendor registration forms or general information, call (334) 874-2106, (334) 874-2106 or (334) 874-2101.