Jan. 7, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: CHARLOTTE KOESTLER

STONE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

601-928-5418

OR ckoestler@stonecounty.com

Based on Christmas Celebration Success, SCEDP Prepares for Biggest-Ever Mardi Gras Parade

Stone County, Miss. – Based on the huge success of Stone County’s 2007 Christmas celebration, the Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) is preparing for the community’s biggest Mardi Gras parade ever.

“Buddy Bell, Wiggins’ chief of police, estimated the crowd at our Christmas parade to have been around 5,000 people,” said SCEDP Executive Director Charlotte Koestler. “Chief Bell has been police chief for eight years and has been involved with the parade for 20 years, and this is the biggest crowd he has seen attend this event.”

The parade had 44 entries, more than ever before, as well. The SCEDP attributes the success to several factors. “We held the parade in conjunction with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Festival of Lights, and we held our annual Breakfast with Santa on the same day. Plus, the weather was perfect,” noted Koestler. “Thanks to the many volunteers who worked to make this event successful, everything just worked beautifully together.”

Photos of the event can be found at http://www.stonecounty.com/Galleries/2007_Christmas_Weekend/index.htm

Based on the number of attendees and the success of the logistics and policies implemented for the Christmas event, the SCEDP is anticipating its biggest-ever Mardi Gras parade and is encouraging parade entrants to register early.

Registration information is as follows:

• Parade Date/Time: Sat., Feb. 2, 11 a.m.
• Parade Entrants Line-up Time: 9 a.m.
• Parade Theme: Disney on Broadway
• Registration Deadline: Friday, Feb. 1, noon
• Three walkers are required to accompany each float
• Fee: None if registered by deadline (late registration fee is $50)
• For more information: Call SCEDP at 601.928.5418 or visit the SCEDP offices at 419 S. Vardaman St., Wiggins

The Stone County Economic Development Partnership is a non-profit entity formed to promote economic development in Stone County; to develop, promote and expand existing businesses and industries in Stone County; to promote tourism and to support the development of infrastructure and services to accommodate a growing economy and community.