JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Plans are underway for the return of the Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival!

The 2025 event theme is “Hey, Hey, the Blues is All Green.” Legendary bluesman Jesse Robinson will be the grand marshal of the parade.

Robinson is a Mississippi native and current Jacksonian. The Blues guitarist and singer began playing guitar at the age of six and went on to work with many other musicians, including Cassandra Wilson, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, and more. He is now widely known as the front man for B.B. King’s Blues Band.

“Bringing this event to the people of Jackson and Mississippi never gets old,” said Malcolm White, Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival founder. “We pride ourselves in being the ‘people’s parade.’ It’s a time for anyone and everyone to come together to celebrate the spring season and our vibrant community. Jesse Robinson embodies so much about our thriving community and is a true Mississippi legend. We’re honored to have him as our 2025 Grand Marshal.”

The 2025 weeklong rites of spring celebration will kick off on Saturday, March 15, 2025, with Run the Rainbow for Children’s. The week of events features The Stomp at Cathead Distillery on Friday, March 21 and will be followed by a day of events, including the parade and after party on Saturday, March 22.

As in previous years, the parade and festival will raise funds for Children’s of Mississippi, the state’s only children’s hospital.