Mardi Gras 2011

 

17^th ANNUAL MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL & PARADE

IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

Family friendly Mardi Gras tradition continues with March 5, 2011 celebration

 

Presented by the St. Marys Downtown Merchants Association, this year’s, March 5^th, festival and parade will feature decorated floats and impressive costumes centered around the 2011 theme “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” 

 

Downtown St. Marys is rich in history and tradition and this event has become a family favorite for locals and tourists alike.  The celebration is a quality family-oriented event that showcases exciting activities, a fabulous parade, and over eighty vendors offering food, art, and miscellaneous items. 

 

The charming waterfront park will be bursting with entertainment throughout the afternoon including The Great Camden County Chili Cook-Off to benefit Habitat for Humanity.  The cook-off is sponsored by W.H. Gross Construction Company, Ameris Bank, and Money Pages along with the Downtown Merchants Association who are each pleased to present Marshall Rowland and the Hit Kickers as the featured performer.

 

When the sun goes down and the lights come up, adults will continue the celebration at the Southern Junction for the Mardi Gras Ball where a new King and Queen are chosen each year.  Prizes will be awarded for costumes that best depict the “Puttin’ on the Ritz” theme, and dance music will be provided by one of the region’s most sought after bands, A Touch of Grey.

 

9am-5pm             Street festival with amusements such as a water walker, mechanical bull, inflatable slide, bungee jumping, climbing wall, trackless train, and numerous arts and crafts displays

 

10am                     Parade with lots of floats, costumes, and bead throwing

 

11am-2pm          The Great Camden County Chili Cook-Off

 

12 noon                All-day entertainment begins at waterfront stage

 

1pm                       Pet Costume Parade

 

7pm                       Mardi Gras Ball at the Southern Junction

 

Tickets for the ball are available at the St. Marys Welcome Center and Once Upon A Bookseller in downtown St. Marys.  Beads are also available at the bookstore on days leading up to the festival.

For more information on the Mardi Gras Festival contact 912.882.7350 or 912.552.0072.  For more on The Great Camden County Chili Cook-Off contact 729.4393 or www.teamchili.org