Details finalized for Mardi Gras parade
Published 11:14 pm Monday, January 26, 2015
The city of Selma, Selma City Council and the Downtown Selma Association is inviting the public to join its upcoming inaugural Mardi Gras celebration Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. Shown are the Code Enforcement Department’s Natalie Shelton, Selma City Council President Corey Bowie, Downtown Selma Association Director Shebra Kidd, Selma Mayor George Evans, benefits administrator Pauline Williams and Selma City Council Administrative Assistant Temekia Sykes.
The city’s inaugural Mardi Gras celebration is quickly approaching, and the deadline to join the parade is arriving even sooner.
Organized by the city of Selma, the Selma City Council and the Downtown Selma Association, the event will begin at the historic St. James Hotel on Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. with a performance by the Coolbone Brass Band. It will continue the next day with a 10 a.m. parade mainly along Broad Street followed by a festival in front of the St. James.
“I think it will be great to bring the city together as a whole,” said Shebra Kidd, the director of the Downtown Selma Association. “It’s going to a family-oriented deal, so we want all the families to bring there kids down to Water Avenue and have a good time with us that day.”
Organizers encourage the public to come dressed in Mardi Gras-styled attire, including beads and masks.
The parade will begin on Furniss Avenue, turn onto Broad Street, venture onto Water Avenue and end on Washington Street, according to Temekia Sykes, the Selma City Council’s administrative assistant.
Kidd and Selma City Council President Corey Bowie said the public’s participation in the festivities, especially the parade, is what will determine the success of the event.
“I hope my merchants downtown participate in this,” Kidd said. “I’ve given flowers to all my merchants and asked them to kind of decorate their windows and get ready for Mardi Gras.”
The Downtown Selma Association released additional details Monday about the festival that will follow the parade.
Fun for all ages, the event will include the Coolbone Brass Band, Birmingham’s Jack the Joy Train and the Selma Fire Department’s bouncy house and beloved Sparky the Fire Dog. Kidd said this year’s event is special, because the activities are free to the public.
“This would be the great year to try to see if you like it,” Kidd said.
Those interested in participating in the parade must submit 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.
To get parade or vendor registration forms or general information, call (334) 874-2106, (334) 874-2106 or (334) 874-2101.
