Hal St. Paddy's Parade & Festival returns for its 41st year

The 41st Hal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival will roll March 23 in downtown Jackson, organizers announced at a Friday press conference at Hal & Mal's in downtown Jackson.

"Now in its 41st year, this parade is the people's parade," said Malcolm White in a press release. "It is a time for everyone to come together and celebrate this place we call home. We can't wait to share this event with our community and support Children's of Mississippi and the great work they do in our own backyard."

Hal's St. Paddy's 2024 theme

The theme for this year's event is "Telling the Mississippi Story."

White, Hal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival founder, gave some insight into this year's theme during the press conference.

"It's the Mississippi story of our great culture and heritage and telling a story is something I've spent a lifetime doing," White said. "So, every year I'm so excited, and we couldn't do it without our downtown Jackson partners and media; it truly does takes a village and I'm so grateful."

White said that after he and some friends took a stroll on Capitol Street in the 1980s dressed as characters from Tennessee Williams plays, he knew he wanted to give the Capital City the chance to celebrate something unique in Jackson by combining Mardi Gras with St. Patrick's Day, according to Hal's St. Paddy's parade website.

Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival, is in honor of White's late brother, Hal, who was one of its leading revelers and supporters.

Who is Hal's St. Paddy's Grand Marshal?

Leading the parade this year as the Grand Marshal will be WJTV broadcaster Walt Grayson.

Grayson took the stand at Friday's press conference, jokingly telling media members that one of his duties as Grand Marshal was to simply sit at the head of the parade and throw beads to the crowd.

"I'm very honored that Malcolm asked me to be the Grand Marshal this year," Grayson told the Clarion Ledger in an interview.

Visit Jackson President Rickey Thigpen also talked about his excitement for the parade and what it means to Jackson's tourism.

"This 41st year of tradition in Jackson really amplifies who we are as Jacksonians and central Mississippi," Thigpen said at the press conference. "This year not only Jackson tourism but the capital area tourism industry is really excited for people to come experience our history and this great tradition."

Also this year, attendees can expect safety and security precautions to be a top priority. Capitol police and the Hinds County Sheriff's office deputies will be on patrol in the downtown Jackson area throughout the entire celebration.

"This is a family filled event, and we will make sure we ensure that the security is provided and work with other law enforcement for those in attendance," Tyree Jones, Hinds County sheriff, said at the press conference. "So, those who are not coming for the good of the event, we will be here and on standby to address issues accordingly."

Hal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival full schedule

Saturday, March 16

• 6:30 a.m. — Run the Rainbow for Children's Full & Half Marathon 10k & 5k.

Friday, March 22

• 4 p.m. — * Hal's Marching MALfunction and Second Line Stomp & Crawfish Boil presented by Community Foundation for Mississippi.

• *begins at Cathead Distillery, stomp to Hal & Mal's at 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, March 23

• 7 a.m. — Float Lineup begins at corner of State Street and Court Street, Jackson

• 9 a.m. —  Children's Parade and Children's Festival presented by Ergon at West Street in front of Thalia Mara Hall.

• 10 a.m. — The MARL Pet Parade at West Street in front of Thalia Mara Hall

• 1 p.m. — Hal's St. Paddy's Parade begins at corner of State Street and Court Street

• 1 p.m. — Gates Open for The Official Afterparty presented by Capital City Beveragesat Hal & Mal's

• 3 p.m. — Music Begins for The Official afterparty presented by Capital City Beveragesat Hal & Mal’s

More: Changes coming to this year's MS State Fair. See details

When and where is Hal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival?

• When: Saturday, March 23

• Where: Downtown Jackson

• Admission: Free

The parade and festival will help raise money for Children's of Mississippi.

More: A new chicken tender joint is coming to Flowood. See what it is and when it will open

-Know an event coming up or have a good story idea? Reporter Kiara Fleming can be reached via email KDFleming@jackson.gannett.com and Follow on X @Ki_dajournalist 

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Hal & Mals St. Paddy's Parade and Festival 2024