THE PARTY JUST KEEPS GOING!
3rd annual RUN THE RAINBOW
MARCH 15, 2025
6:30 AM | Hal & Mal’s
The Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival is proud to partner with Run the Rainbow for Children’s to support Children’s of Mississippi and to kick off the Hal’s St. Paddy’s season.
Register to “Run the Rainbow” on Saturday, March 15, 2025 to support Children’s of Mississippi – the state’s only children’s hospital. Run the Rainbow will feature a 5K route beginning and ending at Hal & Mal’s in downtown Jackson, and the 2025 event will also offer 10K, half marathon, and full marathon routes through downtown Jackson, Belhaven, Fondren, and Eastover neighborhoods, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center campus.
Not only will participants get some awesome race swag and admission to a St. Paddy’s after-party at Hal & Mal’s, but the registration fee and all event proceeds benefit a great local cause. Children’s of Mississippi is committed to providing state-of-the-art care to any child in need.
Registration fee includes:
- Race T-shirt
- Afterparty at Hal & Mal’s
- Live music
- Drink ticket & food
In addition to the finisher medals for each and every walker and runner, there will also be overall trophies awarded to overalls, masters, grand masters, great grand masters, and age group awards.
MARCH 21, 2025
3:00 PM - 7:15 PM | Begins at Cathead Distillery, Ends at Hal & Mal's
On Saturday we march, but on Friday, we STOMP!
The Stomp, a long-standing St. Paddy's tradition, gets us all in the spirit for parade weekend! Enjoy food, drinks, and music at Cathead Distillery before stomping your way to Hal & Mal's.
Hal's Marching MALfunction and Second Line Stomp
PET PARADE
PARADE DAY | MARCH 22, 2025
10:00 AM | West Street beside Thalia Mara Hall
Get ready for wagging tails and adorable costumes at the MARL Pet Parade, rolling at 10:00 AM! Dress your pets in their best Irish or creative themed attire and strut your stuff on West Street for a chance to win trophies for Originality, Creativity, Performance, and Crowd Favorite. With a $5 registration fee benefiting the Mississippi Animal Rescue League (MARL), this event is as meaningful as it is fun.
Arrive early to enjoy amusement rides, games, as well as delicious food and drinks starting at 9:00 AM. Stick around for the big parade later in the day.
Registration starts at 9 AM| Rolls at 10 AM
CHILDREN’S PARADE
PARADE DAY | MARCH 22, 2025
11:00 AM | West Street beside Thalia Mara Hall
Kids take center stage at Hal’s St. Paddy’s Children’s Parade, rolling at 11:00 AM! Little ones are invited to dress up in Irish or themed costumes and join the fun on West Street. Registration is easy—stop by the MARL tent on the Thalia Mara Hall lawn any time prior to the 11 AM start time. Families can also enjoy a morning of rides, games, activities, and tasty treats starting at 9:00 AM. Hosted by Kayla Thompson of WJTV, this family-friendly event is packed with excitement and creativity, all happening in the heart of downtown Jackson.
Don’t miss the perfect spot on West Street to catch the big parade later in the day!
Registration starts at 9 AM| Rolls at 11 AM
THE parade - mississippi’s green
mardi gras
MARCH 22, 2025
1:00 PM | Begins at the corner of State Street and Court Street
Central Mississippi’s annual celebration of Spring has been described as a “green Mardi Gras” and as a “lighthearted homecoming where everyone is king-and-queen-for a-day.” It is also a celebration of the rebirth of Mississippi’s capital city, a joyous observance of what is “good and encouraging” about the heart of our state. It is a day where sense of humor and sense of place rule the day. It is a time to honor the good work of the Children’s of Mississippi. This rambling, outrageous, hilarious ride, starting and ending at Jackson’s favorite gathering place—Hal & Mal’s—will from this day forward be known as “Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade” in honor of Hal White.
Hal (Harold Taylor White, Jr.) was born on March 13, 1949, in a modest apartment home on the campus of Perkinston Junior College. He was the first born son of Harold Sr. and Nelda Gene, and big brother to Mal. Hal was athletic, approachable and a naturally affable kid. He was an outstanding Boy Scout, but never much of a student. He attended Northeast Community College and Mississippi State University, and learned to make a living by working hard and being nice to people.
As a self-taught chef and master soup meister, Hal was influenced by Gulf Coast and New Orleans culture and foodways. He took what he knew, studied what inspired him and worked hard to put his stamp or touch on it. He was beloved by the many people who knew him, worked with him and who had the honor of being in his company. He gave more than he took.
He loved his family and friends, his many communities, sports and the Parade. He was the natural leader of the ancient and venerable O’Tux Society, and it is only fitting that this parade and festival should now be dedicated to his good will and good nature.
Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade will live on to be many things to many people, but regardless of the words or descriptions one chooses to employ, it’s really hard to ignore its humble beginnings in Downtown Jackson, in 1983. Today’s parade, street dance, children’s activities, run, pet parade, festivals, and all the other creative components under the banner of Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade are permitted by the City of Jackson and Hinds County.
Most festivities are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to participate!
the afterparty
MARCH 22, 2025
1:00 PM Gates Open, 3:00 PM Music Begins | Hal & Mal’s
The Hal’s St. Paddy Parade doesn’t end when the last float passes by—it’s just the beginning! Join us for the official Afterparty, where the music gets louder, the dancing kicks off, and the good vibes flow well into the night. Whether you're looking to keep the party spirit alive or wind down with friends, the Afterparty is the perfect way to make your Hal’s St. Paddy experience unforgettable. Let’s raise a glass and keep the celebration going!
