(Metro Creative Services)

The annual Jennings Mardi Gras Parade and Festival, one of the city’s largest events, will be held downtown Saturday.

The family-friendly event gets underway at 11 a.m. with live music, food and craft vendors in and around Founder’s Park and continues throughout the day with the parade rolling at 3:30 p.m.

“This is one of our biggest parades,” City Coordinator Lin Fake said. “For many it is Mardi Gras and parades and people are coming for the beads, but for me it is just a fun time.”

Admission is free to all events.

“We are hoping people will come out to listen to some good music, eat some good food and enjoy the crafts and end the day with a parade,” Fake said.

Cajun Strong featuring Kegan Navarre will perform Cajun music from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Founder’s Park, followed by Class Act, a variety rock band, who will entertain from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

More than a dozen craft and food vendors will also be lined up in and around Founder’s Park and Nezpique Street. Crafts will include jewelry, canned goods, oils and vinegar and homemade items.

The parade will line-up at 2:45 p.m. at Railroad Avenue near the Jennings City Hall and extend to South Cutting Avenue. The parade will start at 3:30 and run south to north along Main Street, ending at Shankland Avenue.

More than 50 floats, horses, ATVs and dance groups are expected to take part in the parade with plenty of throws including strings of beads, cups, doubloons, candy, small toys, t-shirts and other trinkets.

Main Street will be closed to parking during the event. Parking will be available on the side streets in and around Main Street in the downtown area.

There is no cost to enter the parade, but all participants must register at the Old Magnolia Gift Shop located at the W.H. Tupper General Merchandise Museum, 311 N. Main Street.

Ice chest and lawn chairs will be allowed.

For more information contact the Tupper Museum at 821-5532 or email tuppermuseum@cityofjennings.com.