JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
One of the biggest events of the year is set for Saturday in Jackson -- the 30th edition of Mal's St. Paddy's Parade. Originator Malcolm White is predicting another big event, which is also a fundraiser for the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.
The parade starts at the corner of North State and Court streets, turns onto Capitol Street, then travels down Lamar Street, and finally heads back onto Court Street.
It all started with White's idea in 1983, and the starting point for that first parade, which was held on a weekday, was CS's Restaurant on North West Street. It grew by leaps and bounds, after it was moved to a Saturday, where it has remained.
White says it has become a homecoming event attracting former central Mississippians back from all over the country.
"I like the fact that it's the people's parade, and anyone who is interested can be involved," White says. "I like the fact that it has become a homecoming and so, so many people who grew up here and went to school here, come home on this particular weekend."
One of the larger attractions of it turned out to be the Sweet Potato Queens after Jill Conner Browne's successful books on the queens. The queens now hold their own parade in Fondren a week later than the St. Paddy's Parade, which White says has not hurt the St. Paddy's Parade at all.
"Fondren has an event. Jill has her own gathering, and our parade has grown really by leaps and bounds since then, since they departed, so all is well," White says.
There will be a commemoration of the first parade at CS's at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
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Malcolm White
2011
1980s
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
