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NATCHEZ — Around 35 floats have already begun to line up on Broadway Street for the annual Krewe of Phoenix Mardi Gras Parade through downtown Natchez.

The parade begins rolling at 6:30 p.m. today, and hundreds are expected to line up for candy and beads and enjoy the decorated floats.

The route begins on Broadway Street and makes a left onto Franklin, a right onto Rankin Street, another right onto Main Street, a left onto Canal Street, then finally a right onto Orleans Street back to Broadway Street.

To avoid traffic congestion, it is imperative not to park anywhere on the parade route and especially on Broadway Street at any time today, KOP parade organizer Curtis Moroney said.

Parking on Broadway prevents floats from lining up as they should and does not allow traffic to flow around the floats as needed, so “don’t park anywhere on Broadway,” he said.

The parade will include the usual number of decorated floats plus at least one new addition, the Krewe of Chiens — which is French for dogs.

“It should be fun and the weather is beautiful,” Moroney said. “We couldn’t ask for anything better.”