Hundreds walk across Mississippi River bridge as part of 158-year-old Memorial Day tradition
Published 6:02 am Tuesday, May 28, 2024
(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
Hundreds of people walked across the Mississippi River bridge between Vidalia, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi, on Monday during the 158th Annual Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade.
The parade is one of the longest-running traditions of its kind in the nation, dating back to 1867 when participants celebrated Memorial Day by crossing the Mississippi River by ferryboat, walking to the top of Silver Street and marching to the Natchez National Cemetery.
This year’s events took place on Monday, May 27. Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten and the Rev. Louis Banks, pastor of Union Baptist Church, Vidalia, will serve as grand marshals.
The parade started at the foot of the Louisiana side of the bridge. It proceeded across the bridge to the former Natchez Visitor Center and then to the Natchez National Cemetery, where the 11 a.m. ceremony will be held. Retired Army Sgt. Linda McClure of Alexandria was the guest speaker.
The program included solo performances by Mayor Dan Gibson and Damira McGruder, a 2019 Cathedral High School graduate. Raymond Riley of the Elnora Riley Group in Vidalia presented a Memorial Day Band musical solo.
