Vidalia seeks historical marker to honor Miss-Lou Memorial Day parade’s African American roots

Vidalia moves to secure a state historical marker honoring the African American origins of the Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade, one of the nation’s longest-running tributes.

By Roscoe Barnes III
The Natchez Democrat
December 23, 2025

The Town of Vidalia is seeking a historical marker to commemorate its part in the long-running Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade. DEMOCRAT FILE PHOTO (Click on image to enlarge.)

VIDALIA, La. — The Town of Vidalia is seeking a historical marker to commemorate the Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade, one of the longest-running Memorial Day traditions in the United States.

On Dec. 9, the Vidalia Board of Aldermen approved $1,000 for the marker, which it hopes to acquire through the Louisiana Historical Marker Program.

Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft said in a recent interview that the cost is not an issue. “I think this is a worthy project,” he said. “Commemorating that parade would be a really nice thing to do. We will get it no matter what it takes. The price isn’t a heavy lift.”

Craft said the location will be determined later. “We want it to be placed in an area where it can get some traction. We will try to come up with the best possible location for it where people can see it,” he said. However, he added, he will support any location decided by the board.

Once the Louisiana marker is officially approved, Vidalia will join Natchez in honoring the Memorial Day tradition. Natchez’s marker was approved earlier this year by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Its installation, approved for 639 S. Canal St., is expected in 2026.

Craft said the idea for the marker originated with Aldermen Tron McCoy of District 1 and Robert Gardner of District 2.

According to Gardner, the marker will highlight a long-held tradition and important piece of African American history in Vidalia and Natchez.

“It all started in Vidalia,” said Gardner in a recent interview. “I remember as a kid participating in the parade. I’ve been walking in the parade since I was eight.”

He said participation in the parade has been a lifelong family tradition not just for his family but for many families in Vidalia. “We have really never not marched,” he said.

James Theres, historian and director of “The 30th of May” documentary, said he was pleased to learn of Vidalia’s interest in the marker.

“I’m delighted to hear that the citizens of Vidalia will be recognized with a marker commemorating their contribution to the historic ‘30th of May’ parade,” he said. “This marker is for those patriots who have passed on, but as important, it’s for future generations to carry the torch forward. This tradition must not extinguish because based on my research, it’s one of the longest-running, consecutive Memorial Day traditions in the United States.”

Historian Cheryl Wilkinson has noted, “The earliest days of the parade can be documented at least to 1884, but possibly earlier though I've not been able to document. Newspaper accounts of the earliest events emphasize that it is the Black community holding the observance.”

The Memorial Day parade, which started in the late 1800s, was originally held on May 30, and was called “The 30th of May Parade.” Participants began the procession in Vidalia at the Parson Brownlow Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post #23 at its original location in Old Town Vidalia, according to Wilkinson. “At some point after the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, the Post's headquarters was moved to its current location on Magnolia Street,” she said.

Before the original Natchez-Vidalia Bridge was built in 1940, Parson Brownlow GAR members and other parade participants sailed from Vidalia on a ferry to Silver Street, where they joined up with the General John A. Logan Post No. 24 of Natchez. Together they marched to the Natchez National Cemetery, where a ceremony was held to honor the deceased military service members.

After the bridge was built, hundreds of participants began their trek at the Vidalia GAR Post #23's headquarters on Magnolia Street. From there, they marched to the Louisiana side of the bridge and crossed over to Natchez. They met up with the Natchez GAR at the toll booth for the bridge and then proceeded to the cemetery.

The tradition now includes a stop at the Natchez Visitor Center at 640 S. Canal -- which is near the site of the historic toll booth -- before proceeding to the cemetery. The entire trek is about four miles.

See more at this link: https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/vidalia-seeks-historical-marker-to-honor-miss-lou-memorial-day-parades-african-american-roots-a43a07cb