Mississippi Today
What’s a Gulf Coast parade without fire trucks and beads?
After the underdog Mississippi State women’s basketball team toppled UConn Friday, it was only fitting that Saturday’s Bicentennial South lined up a parade to celebrate state pride.
Day Two at Gulfport’s Centennial Plaza cranked up with a half-hour set from Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, whose guitar-playing hands are featured on Mississippi’s new forever stamp, unveiled Friday.
At 11 a.m., the growing crowd gathered for a parade led by Jaimee Dorris, playing the part of Miss Issippi, a character created for the state’s centennial in 1917, the Sun Herald reported. Gov. Phil Bryant followed Dorris in a classic convertible.
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Jaimiee Dorris, as Miss Issippi, leads the parade by tossing commemorative beads to onlookers
Later, Bryant issued a proclamation recognizing Navy Week. More entertainment throughout the day came from comedian Gary Sturdivant, the William Carey Jazz Band, the U.S. Navy Southeast Brass Band and more.
These performances led up to the Governor’s Concert, which is expected to draw 20,000 people to the plaza grounds. Gov. Bryant will again take the stage, but, no, he won’t be singing. He is introducing some big names in Mississippi music: Jaimoe Jasssz Band, Paul Thorn and The Band Perry.