Revised Early Registration date for 5K: Mardi Gras Current Release

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 16, 2012

 

CONTACT: Angela Wigger, St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau

912.882.4000, angela.wigger@stmaryswelcome.com

 

 

MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL OFFERS COLOR RUN, PARADE, ENTERTAINMENT AND MORE!

 

The 19^th annual family-friendly Mardi Gras Festival & Parade is coming up in historic St. Marys, Georgia on Saturday, February 9, 2013 with a theme of “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock & Roll.”   

 

New this year is the First Annual Color the Streets, Color Run.  Throughout the course for this 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk/Run, runners will be bombarded with powdered paint in the form of a colored cornstarch, which is non-toxic and non-rash inducing.  An early bird registration of $30 is available through January 25^th.  The fee will be $40 from January 26-February 5 and $50 on the day of the event.  Registration includes a t-shirt, sunglasses, a pack of color, and a race bib. This run for a cause will give 100% of the proceeds to benefit Juvenile Diabetes and Muscular Dystrophy.  The 7 a.m. run has been organized by the CCHS DECA students and the CCHS Hero Club. 

 

Set-up by 9 a.m., you will find over eighty vendors offering food, art, and miscellaneous items for purchase. The festivals 10 a.m. parade features 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, new laser challenge, inflatable slide, bungee jumping, climbing wall and trackless train.  The waterfront will be bursting with other activities like the Great Camden County Chili Cook-Off and costumed pet-parade benefiting Habitat for Humanity and the Humane Society. 

 

Performers will regale you with their talents at the main stage, in front of the St. Marys Waterfront Pavilion, all day long bringing you lively song, music and dance.

 

Once evening hits, the 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 are $35 and are available by Cash or Check only 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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