BILOXI—Laissez les bon temps roulez! While Mardi Gras season is only celebrated between January 6 and Fat Tuesday, the celebration continues year ‘round in Biloxi with a visit to the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum.
To celebrate the history and tradition of carnival in coastal Mississippi that began in 1908, a museum was created in the late 1980s through the efforts of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association. Today the museum operates as an independent nonprofit that spreads the joy of Mardi Gras to locals and visitors.
Abreeza Thomas is the museum director said a visit to the museum helps patrons dive deeper into the origins of coastal carnival and 17th century as well.
“Our glittering displays of costumes and krewe ephemera trace many of these across centuries, revealing how the season has evolved and how it came to the Americas,” Ms. Thomas said. “We offer insights into the origins of Carnival both in how it first began in pagan times and how it gained such a strong foothold across the Gulf Coast.”
The museum is located in the heart of downtown Biloxi where the festivities first began and continue today, and its mission is to preserve and convey the history and tradition of Carnival in Coastal Mississippi.
“Throughout the year, we host events that pertain to our mission, such as lectures on the history of King Cake and costume creation,” she added. “Most notably, we work with local partners to execute our 12th Night Celebration each January to officially kick off a new season.”
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with opportunities for weekend appointments. Admission for adults is $8, seniors and military $7, and children under 12 are $5. Guided tours are offered throughout the year for groups of all ages. Interested parties can find more information on this on the museum website.
While oftentimes Mardi Gras is portrayed as one big party, Ms. Thomas said the history includes centuries of cultural tradition and genuine fellowship that link the past and present.
“The past and present histories contribute to the season’s infectious energy and true joie de vivre, as our French ancestors would say,” Ms. Thomas said.
The gallery offers hands-on activities including a dress up collection, crown decorating station, and scavenger hunt that challenges guests to slow down and look closely at the incredible detail in costumes created by local seamstresses.
“Our collection has been built by a substantial number of local donors seeking to preserve theirs or their family’s costumes, photographs, and krewe memorabilia,” she said of the ever-changing collection. “Objects in the collection date as early as the 1950’s.”
A recent donation came from Bay St. Louis Mardi Gras Museum—a paper mâché sculpture of Pete Fountain, which has been a visitor favorite.
When making a trip to the museum, be sure to check the website for upcoming events or contact the museum for a guided tour…and let the good times keep rolling!
*All photos are courtesy of the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum
