FOLEY, Ala. — The only way to earn your beads and moon pies at Foley’s Mardi Gras parade is with a big smile and some enthusiasm. This family-oriented parade is specifically designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to elderly.

“It’s a family gathering,” Organizer and President of the Foley Mardi Gras Association Lieu Porter said. “Our parade is just a down home, hometown, family fun parade.”

This year’s parade, sponsored by the Krewe of Les Beau Geste, is bigger than any year in the past as the number of both floats and participants has increased. Parade goers can expect many throws and a multitude of entertainment.

“We are growing all the time,” Organizer Al Briggs said. “We grow every year by one or two floats, so I think we’ve come a long way in a short distance.”

Parade goers will see the parade led by the color guard and Grand Marshall Mayor John Koniar. Also marching in the parade will be the Alabama baton twirlers, the Foley High School band, Miss Senior Baldwin County, the Elks Club, the Krewe of Dekoz, the Foley Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, the Red Hat Ladies and local radio stations.

“This parade is fun and clean,” Porter said. “The kids are going to love it just as much as their parents. There’s a thrill and something for everyone to catch.”

Briggs is in charge of keeping all the parade participants in order and logistically organizing their placements in the parade.

“We determine a float’s location by the size and number of people,” Briggs said. “The grand marshall and color guard are always at the front of the parade and the Krewe of Les Beau Geste, being the founder of the Foley Mardi Gras Association, they're next. After that, everybody else goes by length. Larger floats go from the front of the parade to three quarters back.”

The parade will begin at Max Griffin Park and proceed north on Alston Street, west on Laurel Avenue, south on Oak Street and end at Roosevelt Avenue.

Both Briggs and Porter expect a huge crowd this year.

“People love the parades,” Porter said. “We’ve never really advertised the parade in the past so people have been confused about when it was and where. This year Al [Briggs] has been hanging banners around town, so I expect a larger crowd than we’ve every had before.”

The parade will begin Saturday at 12 p.m.