VIDALIA — The time for Vidalia’s first Mardi Gras parade is nearly here.

Residents looking to join in on the holiday fun need to line Carter Street starting at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Line up for the parade entries will be at Vidalia Upper Elementary, and the parade route will go from VUE on to Carter Street all the way to Vidalia High School.

The grand marshals of the parade will be Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland, Vidalia Alderman Triand “Tron” McCoy and Vidalia Police Chief Arthur Lewis.

Parade organizer Cassandra Lynch said there are currently eight floats in the parade from all over the Miss-Lou, and any resident wishing to build their own float is still welcome to join.

Lynch said there is no entry fee for the parade, because the event is all about having fun and celebrating Mardi Gras.

“There will be floats, four-wheelers, horses and decorated trucks for everyone to see,” she said. “We will have bands and dance lines performing. I am really looking forward to Saturday.”

Lynch said she has had family members sending her items for the parade since Vidalia decided to play host.

“They have been shipping me things to help make the place more unique,” she said. “There are some things here that just aren’t available for Mardi Gras.”.

Lynch said the parade planning has been going smoothly.

“The community has responded very well to the new event,” she said. “It has been so nice to step in and have this much support from residents.”

Lynch said in the future, she is working on starting a committee for the parade to help organize the event every year.

“We want to get bigger and better each year. That is our main goal,” she said. “You always reach for the stars even though you can’t touch them. Each year, the parade should grow.”

Lynch also said she plans on starting a new Mardi Gras krewe in Vidalia for next year’s parade.

“We are wanting to create our own krewe and name it through a contest,” she said.

Lynch said she hopes to see the community out in full support Saturday.

“Everyone I have asked has been really helpful to me,” she said. “The community has given me a lot of positive feedback, and we hope to continue to see the parade here.”