Millbrook Mardi Gras Parade Attracts Revelers with Beads, Floats, Festivities

Millbrook paraded its Mardi Gras colors through Main Street on Saturday, drawing families, out-of-town vendors and a steady stream of visitors to the Village Green. The Revelers Mardi Gras Festival opened at 9:00 a.m., featured an Umbrella Stroll through the park at 10:15 a.m., and the parade rolled out after staging at Mill Creek Park, beginning at noon sharp.

Crowds along the more-than-mile-long route chanted "Throw Me Something Mister" as floats and marching units handed out beads, MoonPies, candy, stuffed animals and trinkets. Organizers encouraged participants to "pace" their throws because the crowd was largest around the Village Green. Parade staging took place behind The Smokehouse Bar-B-Q on Main Street, with personnel on site to direct entrants to their starting positions. Judging for parade prizes began at 11:00 a.m., and units were required to be in place by that time to be eligible.

The Millbrook Revelers krewe supplied a heavy dose of throws. Organizers said they "have four floats" and that "there's two 40-foot floats and a 30-foot float," while other event material described the Millbrook Revelers krewe float as "40 feet of fun waiting to throw beads, moon pies and other trinkets to the crowd." Organizers also noted the Mardi Gras King and Queen float serves as the official "Royalty" ride. Alcohol was prohibited on any parade entry.

Festival vendors lined the Village Green, continuing a pattern in which the event has hosted more than 60 vendors in past years. Sellers came from across the region, including Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama, offering traditional Mardi Gras fare such as Alligator-on-a-Stick, smoked turkey legs, gumbo and red beans and rice alongside hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken fingers. Family attractions included pony rides, inflatables, a zip line and a train that circled the park, and the Umbrella Stroll had decorated umbrellas and additional throws for young parade-goers.

Organizers and long-time volunteers emphasized the community character and history of the event, noting it has run for nearly two decades. In an interview, organizers said they had "been doing this for 18 years" and pointed to sustained city support and sponsorship from local businesses and regional partners, including Dansby Law Firm, Brookside Memorial and Wind Creek. The Millbrook Revelers also described the celebration as the "Biggest Mardi Gras celebration North of Mobile," a promotional claim organizers have used to market the festival.

For residents and businesses, the parade is both a social highlight and a short-term economic boost: downtown dining rooms and area lodging saw increased traffic, and dozens of vendors reported strong sales. Practical details for future participants remain available through parade organizers: staging at Mill Creek Park (behind The Smokehouse Bar-B-Q), Park Circle, Millbrook, AL 36054, and contact by phone at 334-467-9381. Entry rules require no alcohol on entries and encourage entrants to toss beads, candy or small stuffed animals; the parade entry form is posted each fall for the following year.

With regional Mardi Gras activity continuing in neighboring towns through mid-February, Millbrook’s event keeps local Main Street firmly on the map for family-friendly festivalgoers and provides a predictable weekend lift to retailers, restaurants and hospitality providers planning for future celebrations.