Thousands of people turned out Saturday, March 28, 2026, for Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade in downtown Jackson, Mississippi Today reported. The parade theme was “Stars, Stripes & Shamrocks — Jackson Celebrates America250,” Mississippi Today said.
Photos by Eric Shelton of Mississippi Today show Jackson Mayor John Horhn serving as grand marshal and throwing beads to paradegoers, while Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones waved to the crowd. Shelton’s images also capture children and families reaching for beads and flowers along Capitol Street.
Shelton’s coverage shows performers and groups that took part, including the Epic Funk Brass Band, the Forest Hill High School marching band and the Jim Hill High School band. Parade participants pictured included entertainer Rita Brent, members of the Krewe of Froth, Mrs. Mississippi America Casey Craft, the Tater Tart Queen and Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes, according to the photo captions.
Photographs published by Mississippi Today show a festive crowd, with children such as 4-year-old Karson Foster and 7-year-old Junior Williams reaching for throws and 8-year-old Laila Palmer wearing shamrock shades. Mississippi Today described the event as a decades-old tradition in the state capital.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
