Mardis Gras: February 9, 2013 - St. Marys' 19th Annual Mardi Gras is "A Little Bit Country"

ST. MARYS’ 19^TH ANNUAL MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL IS “A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY”

Festival Organizers are Calling for Sponsors, Parade Participants and Vendors!

 

The annual family-friendly Mardi Gras Festival & Parade is coming up on Saturday, February 9, 2013.  This year’s theme will be “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock & Roll.”  The event will be held Saturday, February 9^th in historic St. Marys, Georgia and will offer all day entertainment.

 

The day kicks off with the 10 a.m. parade featuring decorated floats and impressive costumes centered around the theme. The celebration continues throughout the day with a street festival offering amusements such as a water-walker, mechanical bull, inflatable slide, bungee jumping, climbing wall, trackless train, and over eighty vendors offering food, art, and miscellaneous items. The waterfront will be bursting with activities like the Great Camden County Chili Cook-Off benefit event and the costumed pet-parade.

 

When the sun goes down and the lights come up, adults will continue the celebration with the annual Mardi Gras Ball where a new King and Queen are chosen each year.  Prizes will be awarded for costumes that best depict the festival theme. Tickets for the ball will be available at the St. Marys Welcome Center and Once Upon A Bookseller. 

 

The festival in the historic district is hosted by the St. Marys Downtown Merchants’ Association, whose members spend months planning the annual event, including permitting, set-up, organization of each element, and more. 

 

Angela Wigger, Director of Tourism, stated, “This event has always been a family favorite for locals, street vendors and tourists alike.  It’s an opportunity for local and regional talent to come out and showcase their dancing, music, and even their martial arts expertise.  It’s a large event for our area and is an economic driver bringing in hotel stays, restaurant business, shopping, fuel purchases, and taxes for each of these things, at a time of year when tourist season has not yet picked up.” This event was designated a Southeast Tourism Society’s “Top 20 Event” in 2012.

 

For Parade participation information contact Carol Lanham at 912-552-3313 and for Vendor/Sponsor information contact Once Upon A Bookseller at 912-882-7350.  For any additional information contact the St. Marys Welcome Center at info@stmaryswelcome.com or 912-882-4000.

 

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