Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras parade to kick off with Training Air Wing Six flyover
Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc. has a slate of new fun planned for Saturday's Publix Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade, starting with a second line processional of Krewe Royalty at 1:30 p.m. prior to parade kickoff.
The parade will kick off with a flyover by NAS Pensacola-based Training Air Wing Six, led by Captain Douglas White, as the parade turns down Palafox Street. The pilots performing the flyover are CDR Matt Clark, LT Caleb Bradley, LT Billy Rudiger and LT Peyton Strawn.
Rear Admiral Jeffrey Czerewko, Commander, Naval Education and Training Command; Captain Douglas White, Commodore, Training Air Wing Six; Captain Terrence Shashaty, Commanding Officer, NAS Pensacola; and Mayor D.C. Reeves have been chosen as the Grand Marshals of the 2024 Publix Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade.
Recap: Here's everything you missed from Mardi Gras 2023 in Pensacola
The parade, which kicks off at 2 p.m. rain or shine, will host over 225 parade entries with 6,000 people participating. More than 80,000 spectators are estimated to attend. The parade is free to attend and open to the public and is family friendly and welcoming to all ages.
Second line
Just prior to the start of the parade at 1:30 p.m. a second line processional of Krewe Royalty led by 2024 King & Queen Priscus, Amy Miller and Norm Cain from Krewe of Anarchy, will start at Government and Palafox streets, where royalty from all Krewes in the parade have the opportunity to second line to the start of the parade at Garden and Spring streets. Following the Royal Processional, the parade will be kicked off with the national anthem, a prayer by the Rev. Nick Schumm, and the annual countdown to start the largest parade in Pensacola history.
The 2024 Grand Marshals will ride at the front of the parade in vehicles provided by PMG sponsor, Step One Automotive Group. The Grand Marshals will lead what organizers believe will be the biggest Mardi Gras Parade on the Gulf Coast. Escambia County has experienced record participation and visitors for the 2024 season thanks to a Tourist Development Council grant approved by the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. This has allowed Pensacola Mardi Gras Foundation, Inc. to host and coordinate events and market Pensacola’s Mardi Gras Season to the entire Southeast.
Mardi Gras 2024 season key dates
Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated ParadeSaturday, 2 p.m.: Publix Pensacola Mardi Gras Grand ParadeSunday, 2 p.m.: Krewe of Wrecks Pensacola Beach ParadeTuesday, 11 a.m.: Publix French Quarter Fat Tuesday Celebration presented by Wind Creek Hotel & Casino. Lunch starts at 11 a.m., party starts at 5 p.m. at Seville Quarter. Twelve of Pensacola’s best Krewe’s are hosting seven rooms of entertainment.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras 2024 parade to kick off with flyover
