Jackson Jambalaya

Great news. At least traffic in Ridgeland won't be screwed up because of it.

I wish the Sweet Potato Fools would just strut their stuff right out of Mississippi.
I never understood the mentality of those who found them entertaining after the SPQ initial appearance.
I suppose some folks just need any excuse to demonstrate how stupid they can be by participating in this AWFUL public display.
I'm embarrassed for them.

Had a blast at the parade. Didn't miss the Queens. Sorry.

I wish the Sweet Potato Queens all the best in Fondren. I enjoyed Mal's St. Paddy without them just fine. No problem with them, just fine with or without them.

Parade was actually better without all the drunk Queens.

More like Drag Queens now

Our float seemed to make it around the route in a shorter time this year. The parade is better for their absence.

Parade was great; Queens' absence went unnoticed.

I didn't miss the queens. I thought the parade was long enough without them.

Everything seemed a little more family-friendly this year. The only negative was that many of the floats seemed a little less decorated this year. Maybe the krews didn't like the theme? Maybe it's the economy? I don't even remember hearing the song "Hey Hey, The Blues is Alright." Just the same old hip hop and pop songs that they always play.

At least the folks on the floats were more covered up and seemed less drunk. Maybe it was because the parade flowed better without the queens.

Hopefully the queens have a successful weekend too.

For whatever the SPQ's may once have been, the group has been corrupted by trash who welcome an opportunity to display boorish behavior to what they believe is a receptive audience.

My girlfriend had an experience last year that seems indicative of the group as it currently stands. We were dining at a classy restaurant the night before the parade when a barely conscious "queen" and friend stumbled into the place and was seated next to us. She loudly spouted such things as "Whut you mean y'ain't got no raynch dressin'?" and every few seconds yelled "TuusssCAlOOSAalaBAMarolltide!" After one particularly obnoxious outburst, my girlfriend turned to look at the offender. Apparently, she caught her eye, because the "queen" then growled "Am I gonna hafta fuck a bitch up?" She repeated this several times, loudly, and then threw a dinner roll at my girlfriend. It was this point that the musician providing entertainment stopped playing and came to our table out of concern. Ms. Tide continued to yell until her extremely embarrassed friend dragged her from the restaurant

The drag queens were not missed

I saw the video on clarion. It was qite impressive. Made me pround for my home town, which as anyone who reads the King knows I am in no short opinion on! Malcolm did a perfect check/check mate on the tater queens. Proved he don't need um. I still say the fondren parade will be a flop or at least the beginning of the end for the queens. That act is stale now and isolating it will only underscore the obvious. my two cents.....

as a former member of the Krewe of Ragoo, I can't say a word.

As usual, The Rude Men had the best float...

I don't like the fact that Good's family carnival is the same weekend. Not really interested in bringing my family and kids to a SPQ sideshow!

Someone needs to highjack the SPQ parade like the Stork from Animal House and lead them down to West street and start a race riot.

parade was awesome. much better without the obnoxious SPQs. in other news: SI was arrested again....anyone suprised? such a joke at this point

Well, you can demonstrate to your kids how stupid adults look when they are shit-faced especially when those adults are older women stuffing their overweight bodies into little tiny clothes and acting as if they still exude sex appeal.

Yes, everyone who has ever attended the parade knows that the SPQ are the ONLY people who exhibit obnoxious, drunken behavior.

They are the most ridiculous set of bozo women to ever grace the earth.

They think they are SOOOO COOL.

There was still an abundance of shirtless cracker shenanigans. I was also amazed at the number of beer bottles that I (and my young children) witnessed being smashed to the ground. What a bunch of jackasses. I would say that we should expect to see JPD crack down on glass bottles next year, but . . .

3:02 You bringin your kids tells alot about your state of mine..... JPD should have picked YOU up!

"3:02 You bringin your kids tells alot about your state of mine..... JPD should have picked YOU up!"

And what's wrong with taking kids to a parade?

"3:02 You bringin your kids tells alot about your state of mine..... JPD should have picked YOU up!"

Yeah, JPD should have filled the coliseum with me and the other 20,000 negligent parents who brought their kids to an event that included such activities as bounce houses and a kids' parade. How dare we?

Notice how the actual parade is held AFTER the pet parade and children's events. Those are great to attend with children, the parade is not appropriate. Children in strollers have no clue what's going on, are liable to be injured and should be left with a sitter. And am a mom who takes my kids to the pet parade, but leaves afterward.

AMEN 5:39 AMEN.

Thank God those gross ass women were not here for the little girls to admire.

5:47....JUS DO IT.I canNOT be more sick of those OBNOXIOUS "super cool" idiot women that will look RIDICULOUS saturday. the death of the SPQ's, thank God, is right around the corner.

In defense of the SPQ's, Cynthia Speetjens, an original SPQ, is still one of the coolest women I know.

It's highly amusing to me to watch people with inflated ego's crash and burn. Hope to see JCB in the has been category soon and lookin' forward to watchin' the carnage!!

the parade was fantastic, as it always is. the queen's parade in Fondren will be a lot of fun too.

Bunch of drunks any way you cut it. With SPQ or without SPQ.

From the beginning, I never understood the appeal of the SPQ's. They were obnoxious, drunk, and nasty. I'll bet ya a lb of sweet potatoes that they clean up their "act" for Fondren.

I bet it will again, be a bunch of drunks. Come one come all, Shuck me, Pelicans too, Phillip might add a bit of drama, but you can always count on the bar flies.

I'm kinda surprised to see the SPQs trashed so on this blog.
Because of the book, quite a lot of money gets brought into the state with all the " wannabees" that come to town. When I travel, I get asked if I know the SPQs more than any other question I get asked.
I have witnessed elected officials(even one who was a Lt Gov at the time), SI ( pre accident) and other " prominent members of the community" obnoxiously drunk in public. I've witnessed quite a few who were sober but just rude, loud and ill mannered. There's hardly an event in Mississippi...The Dixie Rodeo, Neshoba, concerts etc where you don't see some drunk or some jerk.
Anyone who doesn't get that there will be drinking at St Paddy's parades and Mardi Gras parades anywhere and that one or more will not handle the booze well should stay home.
" Stick in the muds" seem awfully blind to bad behavior when it's " a prominent member of the community" or their political party's " big dog" or someone they have admired. If they " see" the behavior at all, they find excuses.
I don't know what the dual parade stuff is about but if Browne and White have their egos in a wad, they ought to work it out and not risk killing the cash cow.

Karen Shackelford said...
In defense of the SPQ's, Cynthia Speetjens, an original SPQ, is still one of the coolest women I know.

Agreed. So what happened to ALL of the original SPQ's?

GONE.

If they were just better looking no one would be complaining. Y'all know it's true.

Say it was a parade of drunk, tan, toned, pink and green clad college girls, called sweet potato "princesses". Every man on here, "honey, I'm going out to play, um, golf."

You try that crap when you're pushing 50..(crickets).. Nobody's into it but you. That's just the way the world works.

I made the mistake of stopping by the Hilton one year, just to witness it.. There were more wigs, tiaras, and sparkley boas flinging around on that dance floor than a gay bar on Liza night. They were all COMPLETELY hammered. And yes, embarrassingly obnoxious. At least they weren't driving, I guess.

Amazed at the vitriol toward the SPQs.They have been very good for Jackson.The whole deal has been tongue in cheek and should be taken as such.Do not confuse the out of town wannabees with the original Jackson crew.Have to agree with Karen that Cynthia Speetjens is still the coolest gal in the Metro area.

Wow. All you anonymous people seem really bitter. You do realize the SPQs and Jill Conner Browne give THOUSANDS of dollars to Blair Batson Children's hospital every year? That's gotta be worth something. And for the record I've NEVER been to a St Paddy's Day parade ANYWHERE that didn't have it's share of drunks.

I completely agree with Karen, Cynthia Speetjens is the best!!!!

BFD 7:13. Making money for charity is NOT the reason these ladies dress up and act like trolls for a few days.

I just wish they would have stayed in Ridgeland. Can you picture those ridiculous looking "women" parading around that prissy place?

Ridgeland probably refused to host it. Imagine a family friendly town hosting a parade of fatass bitches showing off their most obnoxious Southern drawl--and drunks--in Ridgeland??? Ha!!

And, who in the hell came up with "Zippity Do Dah" parade? Can't the Queen come up with something a little better with all of her Southern wit and Southern charm?

And for all of you Southern women--like I am myself--It is sooo f'in annoying when I go on vacation out of the country or travel north for work, and y'all put a major effort into the Southern drawl that is so sickening and talk louder than everyone else. Shut the F up, bitches. You bring shame upon the rest of us and annoy the hell out of everyone around you. We don't care how fricken Southern you sound. Some of the men would be impressed if your hootch whistled "Dixie," but other than that shut the F up. You embarrass us!

Jill sure ain't helping the cause for Southern women to be respected as professionals, wives, etc. It seems to me that she is hell-bent on influencing women to be whores and red-neck trash in order to make herself feel better about her personal choices. And, anyone that signs up to be a "Wannbee" needs counseling on self-esteem issues. Like a respectable woman would "Want To Be" a white trash ho????

Who is Jill?

I've never read a SPQ book, but I certainly can't understand all the hate toward Jill. Really? She is raising money for a hospital. She isn't pocketing a dime and isn't currently writing or promoting a book. Why would grown adults like you hate someone without even meeting her? The festivities are put on by FRF and the merchants of Fondren. The SPQ are just marching in the parade. Even if you didn't like the SPQs, Fondren has plenty going on all weekend and it's all for the Batson (the only Children's hospital in MS and located in FONDREN). We are going to have fun and raise a ton on money regardless of anyone's bitterness.

Good. Y'all have a good time. We will avoid Fondren like the plague this weekend. I don't care how much money you raise for Batson: neither parade is family friendly. Ironic: the parades that raise money for a children's hospital are the most hedonistic, inebriated, embarrassing parades that could occur in the city.

There should be no pride in being a SPQ.

"She isn't pocketing a dime"

What planet are you from? For Kyle and her, it is ALL about money. You are one clueless bozo, living in the land of Oz.

Let the freak show begin.

She does it ALL now to sell more books and SPQ stuff, a lot from her website. You can also "Hire Jill" from her website.

She isn't pocketing a dime? Nah, she's pocketing WAY more than that. And if I was the Board of Blair Batson, I would be totally embarassed to have money raised for sick and terminally ill children by a bunch of drunks roaming the Hilton and now Fondren.

Years ago when it first started I wanted to do it, be a SPQ. It looked like a ton of fun and I did find the one book I read funny and light hearted. But, over the years it has morphed into an ugly, vulgar thing I no longer want to be a part of and am kinda glad I never got around to joining it in the beginning. But, just like everything else, the trash have brought it down and it's spun out of control. I hate that.

So how was the parade and the turnout?

So how was the parade and the turnout?

Come on folks. Did anybody go to this thing and did they behave?

I WENT TO THE PARADE. IT WAS MICKEY MOUSE.

Will be interesting to see if it returns to scenic Fondren next year.

First off, I would like to say that all of the people writing such nasty comments should at least have the courage to post their names along with their opinions. I'd also like to point out the irony: you portray my mother as some sort of selfish, mean woman yet do you consider your own words? You are deliberately and maliciously attacking someone, and anonymously, to boot. Would you act that way if you met her face to face? Are you really THAT well informed about my family's lives to cast such judgment upon us? I'm guessing you probably don't know as much as you think you do. It's very easy to type something and not realize the impact of your words. Do you consider what it might feel like to read something like that written about you? Do you consider how deliberately offensive and downright hateful YOU yourself are being while writing about how offensive my mother is? How could you treat another person this way? What has she personally done to you? You ought to be ashamed of yourselves and I would think your own mothers would have taught you better. I wonder if any of you have met my mother, read her books, or have any idea who/what you are actually passing judgment on? The books have a positive, uplifting message amid the humor. Just because the humor is not in your taste does not mean you have to publicly bash her. She and Kyle do not drink and none of the actual Queens do at the festivities. Also, my mother and Malcolm are not having some childish, egotistical, power struggle. It's not really any of your business what went into the decision process for the creation of a separate parade and none of it was really broadcast for that matter. If you're a resident of Jackson, one would think you would appreciate the money they ALL bring in. No one is on bad terms with anyone. I still go in Hal & Mal's all the time and get treated very well! A business decision is not the same as a personal one. Speaking of money, let me clear this up for you as well: My parents truly do not make a dime off of the Fondren parade, nor did they make one from Mal's in the past. I would LOVE it if we did because I've got a serious wishlist going on at Shopbop.com. Sadly, this is not the case. Every cent goes to Batson. For those of you insulting my mother's character, I've got a Bible verse for you: Matthew 7:3-5. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." My mother is one of the kindest, funniest, most hard working, generous, and selfless individuals I know. She literally will do anything for anyone. I could give you thousands of examples but she's not asking for recognition, praise, or thanks. She's a talented, amazing woman with a genuine desire to help people and on my best day I couldn't be as good as she. She hasn't written anything ugly about you or your family. I understand that it is so much easier to type something than it is to say to someone in person, but you need to remember that. You need to remember that the people you criticize & cut down are PEOPLE too, just like you. They have friends, families, and people who care about them, just like you. Your words are still just as hurtful. I'm honestly shocked that people would treat another person like this. I'm asking you to please think about how you might feel if it were you, or how you might feel reading this about someone you love.

Bailey: Much respect for your post, even though I've never met you. I've met your mom a few times and she has always seemed like great fun. I don't know what everyone's problem is, but I hope you don't let their rude comments upset you. In my opinion it really isn't about you, or your mom. I think a lot of people just plain don't like to see women past a certain age having any fun. Also it's just people bitching, which is quite easily done on the internet these days.

Well said Bailey, after reading down that far I was fuming and glad to see you jump to your Mom's defense. As a long time SPQ attendee I was also deeply offended. I've always found Jackson to be a beautiful and welcoming town. Had I felt unwanted I'd have taken myself and my business elsewhere but thats never been the case. I honestly believe most of that "anonymous" garbage was written by one bitter unhappy troll pretending to be many. Obviously someone with no sense of fun. Your mom is a lovely woman who has touched a lot of womens lives in a positive way, including mine. I and my group had an awesome time at the parade and we'll see ya next year!