The streets of Dothan, Alabama, buzzed with anticipation as the calendar flipped to March 1, 2025. The city, nestled in the Wiregrass region, was about to host its 11th annual Krewe of Kolosse Mardi Gras Parade, a tradition that had grown from a spontaneous idea into a beloved community event. On this crisp Saturday, the air was thick with the promise of beads, music, and vibrant floats, all set against the backdrop of a clear spring day.
The Krewe of Kolosse, a group founded on the spirit of camaraderie and celebration, had been preparing for months. According to their website, kreweofkolosse.com, the organization began ten years ago when a handful of friends decided to bring a taste of Mardi Gras to Dothan. What started with a parade permit granted just nine days before the first event in February 2015 had blossomed into a spectacle that now drew crowds from across the region. This year marked a decade of revelry, and the Krewe was determined to make it unforgettable.
As dawn broke on March 1, the city stirred to life. Float builders hustled around Westgate Park, the parade’s new starting point for 2025. The shift from Solomon Park, as noted by WTVY, was a practical one. Major Will Glover of the Dothan Police Department explained to the station, “It becomes very congested in that area due to all the floats and all the cars. We kind of figured out if there had been an emergency in most of those neighborhoods, we couldn’t have gotten a fire truck or an ambulance or even maybe a police car into that to assist.” The change promised smoother logistics and a safer experience for all.
By mid-morning, the streets around downtown Dothan were cordoned off, with road closures beginning at 2 p.m., as reported by WTVY. The police weren’t taking any chances with safety this year. Major Glover shared with WTVY, “We have updated the number of barriers that we’re putting up,” and added, “We have bigger barriers; we have different trucks being used to help protect everybody.” The Dothan Police Department had bolstered its presence, too, bringing in extra officers and support from other agencies to keep the festivities secure. Glover reflected on past parades, saying, “We’re very lucky that there’s that many people in one area, but we have not had a lot of incidents happen before and we just wanna sure it continues to stay that way.”
As the clock ticked closer to the 6 p.m. start time, families, vendors, and revelers filled the designated zones along the parade route. The Krewe of Kolosse had planned a lineup of dazzling floats, each one a testament to the group’s creativity. The “King’s Float” glimmered with regal flair, ready to showcase royalty, while the “Soul Train” hummed with funky energy, poised to roll down Foster Street. The “Motley Krewe” float, decked out in rock-and-roll flair, promised to bring a rebellious edge to the night. These creations, highlighted in posts from WTVY on X, hinted at the diversity and passion poured into the event.
The origins of Mardi Gras, meaning “Fat Tuesday” in French, trace back to Mobile, Alabama, a fact WTVY underscored in their coverage. It’s a celebration rooted in indulgence before the solemnity of Lent, and Dothan had embraced it wholeheartedly. The crowd buzzed with excitement as the first notes of brass and drums echoed from Westgate Park. Children clutched bags for beads, their eyes wide with anticipation, while parents heeded Major Glover’s advice from WTVY: “Keep an eye on your children. They have the urge to run out there and try to get the beads and stuff coming off the floats, so be mindful of that.”
As the parade kicked off, the streets erupted in color and sound. Floats rolled by, tossing beads, moon pies, and trinkets into the eager hands of onlookers. The Krewe of Kolosse members, adorned in vibrant costumes, waved and danced, their joy infectious. The new barriers and increased security faded into the background as the focus shifted to the celebration. Glover had told WTVY, “We’ve had a couple of arguments that have turned physical but nothing major,” and tonight, it seemed the good vibes would prevail once again.
The night stretched on, with the parade winding through downtown Dothan until the last float disappeared into the darkness. Parents corralled tired kids, vendors packed up, and the streets slowly emptied. The Krewe of Kolosse had done it again—delivered a night of unity and cheer that would linger in memories until next year. As the kreweofkolosse.com history proudly states, this was a tradition built on friendship and fun, now a cornerstone of Dothan’s identity. And thanks to the diligent efforts of the Dothan Police Department, as detailed by WTVY, it was a safe one, too.
Comments credited to WTVY.
