Covering the Business, Events & Fun of the  Carnival Industry

Pictured: Carter Gilmer (center) with Bennie Johnson and Abe Sherrod. Mr. Gilmer was the 2006 Grand marshal. The gentlemen were attending the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association 2006 Grand Marshall's Ball. The Second Liners are a mixed club, and many of it's members put in countless hours to civic causes throughout the year.

Biloxi , MS (June, 2008)… .......Recently, Mardi Gras Digest, had the opportunity to meet with a delegate of one of the fastest  rising Mardi Gras clubs’ along the Gulf Coast .  Mr. Abe Sherrod, Chairman of the Board for the Second Liners Mardi Gras club of Gautier , MS , took time out of his busy day to give us a peek inside the world of this unique organization. 

Mr. Sherrod stated the club was founded in 1993, through an idea seen on television.  “One of our members was watching a kid’s parade on television and thought it would be a great idea for the neighborhood.   It started with kids going around the block with wagons and people in the neighborhood helping out.  It grew and grew.” he said.

	2007 Second Liners King Carter Gilmer enjoys the picture taking before the Brunch. Pictured below the 2007 Queen poses with a friend of the Krewe.

The parade always culminated in a community block party, which is free to the general public. In 2005, the club's parade had grown to include as many as 50 to 60 units parading, Mr. Sherrod said.  Then, in August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Coast.  “We canceled all our 2006 Mardi Gras activities after Hurricane Katrina and The Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association invited our organization to share in festivities there.  They extended us a hand as neighbors,” Sherrod said. “This year we returned to our home base in Biloxi and had the second champagne brunch, New Orleans-style,” he said.  Second Liners Mardi Gras Club is a community organization.  “One of the things we are most proud of is, we are a non-profit charitable organization.  We are registered with the state of Mississippi as a charitable organization and we are 501(c)3 through the government so all our event proceeds go toward charitable work and back into the community in the form of parades, community block parties, Easter Egg hunts and a Thanksgiving turkey giveaways for senior citizens and the less fortunate,” Sherrod said. 

“We also have a senior citizen banquet scheduled for October and we also are going to give away a scholarship.   Another thing we are proud of is, we have been able to bring together members from the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast .   Members are from Pass Christian to Moss Point .  “We have members from out of stat as well.  The bottom line is we are a Mardi Gras club that provides wholesome Mardi Gras activities for families and provide community outreach,” Sherrod said.

That makes the club a, "double nickel" or a two in one 501(c)(3) as it were. The term is inside slang,  for civic organizations that also carry a Carnival / Mardi Gras component. It is one of just eight (8) organizations of this type in the entire Gulf Coast. It joins the ranks of such other well known clubs as, The Zulu Social aide & Pleasure Club in New Orleans. The name is misleading to some who do not understand certain industry non-profit organizations and the vital work they do for the community. The purposes of these club tells the true story of their existence, planning and civic nature. The purpose of the Second Liners Mardi Gras Club, Inc. is to sponsor, support and provide a wholesome community activity that are both youth and family friendly; that requires no admission fee to the public in general.  In addition, the club supports other charitable activities and other civic causes as determined by our organization’s membership.  Our organization currently has eighty sustaining members and four honorary members.  Although the club is based in the city of Biloxi , our members are from the entire Gulf Coast and some from out of state as well.  

The club supported activities are held in different cities across the coast.  For instance in Biloxi, the Annual Mardi Gras parade and Easter event is held, Moss Point holds a Black History month celebration in partnership with the Jackson-George County Regional Library System, the Hawaiian Luau fundraiser is held in Gautier, MS and in St. Martin the club holds a Financial Aide Workshop and Scholarship Award event. 

The Second Liners Mardi Gras Club is focused on projects that are vital to a community, which promote neighbor enrichment, cultural events and health and human resource awareness.  In addition, the club is a partner in the Night Out Against Crime and Neighborhood Watch Programs.  The intent of this organization is to serve all communities of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and to develop an enduring rapport between all coast residents.

On February 11, 2007, the Second Liners Mardi Gras Club celebrated its second annual brunch with more than 600 invited guests who dined, danced and shared in a jovial fellowship.

The event, which began at 10 a.m. and lasted until 2 p.m., was held in the ballroom at the IP Casino in Biloxi .  Guests dined from a 20 plus item menu that offered breakfast and lunch entrees enveloped in decorative tables.  Bold, festive colors of purple, green and gold glittered throughout the ballroom.  The champagne toasts were plentiful and live entertainment kept the dance floor full.

Victoria Webb, age 99 of Pass Christian, MS danced to several songs before the event ended.  “I have been dancing since I was a little girl,” she said.  Webb said the Second Liners club, of which she is a member, fulfilled its mission to host a splendid party.  “It couldn’t have been any better.  I really enjoyed it.   I think everybody else did, too,” said Webb, a retired educator.  “What really stood out was the way it was carried out.  It made you stop and think.   The togetherness of the people was so beautiful.  Everybody was just together as one.” Webb said the brunch opened a flood gate of memories of Mardi Gras days in New Orleans .

Second Liners president is Anthony Mitchell of Biloxi , MS .  The organization’s membership registration period begins in March.  Applications can be obtained by visiting biloxiseondliners@hot.mail.com or from club membership ages range from 25 to 99.