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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
Note that any opinions expressed in legacy Jackson Free Press stories do not reflect a position of the Mississippi Free Press or necessarily of its staff and board members.

Are you heading out to the 30th Annual St. Paddy’s Parade this Saturday? Here are a few items you might want to bring:

• comfortable shoes
• portable chairs
•  water
• sunscreen
• snacks
• cooler
• entertainment for the kids
• towels
• hand sanitizer
• camera
• book bag or tote for your beads
• stroller
• deodorant
• sunglasses
• spray fan
• first-aid kit
• extra shirt
• umbrella
• watch
• gum
• a kid to attract beads

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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.