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.

 

Jaimiee Dorris, as Miss Issippi, leads the parade by tossing commemorative beads to onlookers
A Joppa (Shriner) on a chopper.
Food vendors take a break to enjoy the parade.
The drumline of the University of Southern Mississippi Marching Band.

 

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.

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Ryan L. Nave, a native of University City, Mo., served as Mississippi Today's editor-in-chief from May 2018 until April 2020. Ryan began his career with Mississippi Today February 2016 as an original member of the editorial team. He became news editor August 2016. Ryan has a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has worked for Illinois Times and served as news editor for the Jackson Free Press.