WATCH: MLK Coastwide parade marches through Biloxi, ends with Battle of the Bands

MLK Coastwide parade marches through Biloxi, ends with Battle of the Bands It’s a chilly but beautiful Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the perfect time for a parade. (wlox)

By Amber Spradley and WLOX Staff

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - It’s a chilly but beautiful Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the perfect time for a parade.

Music filled the streets of Biloxi as the 2023 MLK Coastwide parade took off from the Salvation Army Kroc Center around 11 a.m.

The procession included eight marching bands, some from out of state, and rolled from Division Street to Caillavet Street, finally arriving at MGM Park where the annual Battle of the Bands took place around noon.

Take a look at some footage of the marching bands before and during the parade.

MLK Coastwide parade strolls through Biloxi, ends with Battle of the Bands Eight marching bands participated in the 2023 MLK Coastwide Parade and Battle of the Bands in Biloxi.

Michael Daniels, MLK Coastwide organizer, says he grew up going to MLK festivities.

“It’s all about tradition,” Daniels said. “And hopefully, I can inspire some of the youth to just take part, you know... Be active in the community.”

Battle of the Bands brings MLK Coastwide parade to its conclusion It’s a chilly but beautiful Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the perfect time for a parade. (wlox)

Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich was also in attendance.

“It’s really exciting. People don’t want to hear me talk, they want to hear some music,” Mayor Gilich said. “So, that’s what we’re excited about. We’ve got some great bands and looking forward to a great day.”

The annual MLK Coastwide Celebration consists of multiple events the week before MLK Day and on the holiday itself, all in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his mission.

Coastwide MLK Celebration kicks off this week; battle of the bands, parade take to Biloxi streets From Battle of the Bands to a parade and a financial series, Ja'Leasa Bolden and Allystra Perryman give us the rundown on all events taking place as part of the (wlox)

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Amber Spradley

Amber Spradley

Amber Spradley is a reporter for WLOX News Now and weekend anchor for Good Morning Mississippi. She is originally from Atlanta and graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University.

WLOX Staff

WLOX Staff

Many of our stories aren't just researched and written by one journalist. They are collaborative efforts, identified by the WLOX Staff byline. An email sent to producers@wlox.com will go to the full WLOX news staff, including our newsroom managers.