 Celebrate Mardi Gras in SouthCoastUSA
“Laissez les Bon Temp Roulez!”
Mardi Gras season is a magical time throughout the SouthCoastUSA region, the four state region
that includes Northwest Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana-- all connected by I-10 and the Gulf
of Mexico. The 2005 Mardi Gras season begins January 6, the Twelfth Night Feast of the Epiphany. The official parade
and party season starts 12 days prior to Mardi Gras Day, Fat Tuesday, which is February 8. Each of the SouthCoastUSA
destinations offers a unique Carnival experience.
It’s not a bit too soon to make your 2005 Mardi Gras plans. You may even win a trip to experience Mardi Gras SouthCoast
style. Log onto www.southcoastusa.com to enter the Mardi
Gras Sweepstakes.
Here’s a sampling of 2005 Mardi Gras activities and events throughout SouthCoastUSA:
Northwest Florida
Let the good times roll throughout the Beaches of South Walton during the Mardi Gras  celebration.
From Cajun cuisine and music to unique parades through the streets of the Village of Baytowne Wharf on the Sandestin
Golf and Beach Resort, Beaches of South Walton offers a family friendly fun environment for everyone to enjoy.
Don’t miss the "Krew of Arf-eous" Dog Parade on February 6 or the Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Parade
on February 8.
The Pensacola Bay Area hosts a variety of parades during Mardi Gras week. More fun, food and music are featured
at various chili and gumbo cook-offs held at Seville Quarter entertainment complex, including the Great American
Cook-Off, the Gumbo Ya-Ya and the Pensacola Jazz Society Jazz Gumbo.
Alabama
 Mardi Gras celebrations in the Alabama Gulf Coast are not as fancy or
old as some, but they equal them in fun. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer laid-back and family-oriented
parades, with lots of “throws” for everyone. You won’t want to miss The Mystics of Pleasure Parade or the
two Mardi Gras Day Parades. While you are in the area, drive just a short distance to the Eastern Shore
for more family fun and local parades.
Mobile is not only the home of the first-known Mardi Gras celebration in 1703, but also the modern America’s
Family Mardi Gras. The magnificent celebration lasts for nearly two weeks with daily parades and culminates on
Fat Tuesday, February 8, the day before Lent. Lundi Gras or Fat Monday, February 7, features The Infant Mystics
Parade as everyone gears up for Fat Tuesday, the big day parades.
Mississippi
Since the word has spread about Mardi Gras on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the American Bus Association listed
this celebration as one of the Top 100 Events in North America and the SouthEast Tourism Society listed it as a
Top 20 Event. The top events include: the Krew of Nautilus Parade on February 5, the St. Paul’s Carnival
Association Parade on February 7 and Fat Tuesday, February 8 with three magnificent parades. While you are
in the area, visit Ocean Springs and Mississippi’s West Coast-Hancock County for additional parades
and fun.
Louisiana
What can you say about Mardi Gras in New Orleans? Magnificent, magnificent,  magnificent! Events not to miss include
the Lundi Gras, February 7, celebration beginning in the morning when the mayor gives the city keys to King
Rex, the Orpheus Parade rolls and the Orpheuscapade and the Endymion Extravaganza top
out the day with a star-studded concert, dinner dance and show. Mardi Gras in New Orleans culminates on Fat Tuesday
with the parade of the Krewe of Rex, King of the Carnival.
Just a few minutes from New Orleans, you’ll find New Orleans Northshore. Make sure to attend the Mardi Gras
boat parades, the Krew of Bilge in Slidell and the Krew of Tchefuncte in Madisonville. On February
7, don’t miss the Mystic Krew of Mardi Paws pet parade!
Baton Rouge kicks off the season with Krew of Artemis Parade, January 28. This all-woman krewe has
elaborate costumes and lots of throws. Be sure to catch the Red Show beads! The Krewe of Orion Parade follows
the next day. Then on February 5, the Spanish Town Parade features Baton Rouge’s rowdiest krewes, with its
mascot --a dandy pink flamingo. Watch for the Krewe of Yazoo with their colorful themed lawnmowers!
 Head west to Lafayette for some great Mardi Gras events February 4-8, featuring
a variety of parades almost every day. After the parades, make sure to attend the Greater Southwest Louisiana
Mardi Gras Ball and Pageant on Mardi Gras day. Each day, Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette features
live music, food and a gigantic midway. For a special treat, head to the Couir de Mardi Gras on Mardi Gras
day . It’s Cajun Country’s traditional rural celebration.
Experience an authentic, fun-filled Cajun Mardi Gras celebration in Houma, just 57 miles southwest of New
Orleans. There are parades galore: the Krewe of Hercules Parade, January 28; the Krewe of Aphrodite Parade,
February 4 and on Mardi Gras Day, there are back to back parades all day with the Krewe of Houmas and the Krewe
of Kajuns.
Southwest Louisiana/Lake Charles Mardi Gras festivities are one of the most popular events in Southwest
Louisiana. The celebration was named a Top 100 Event by the American Bus Association and a Top 20 Event by the
Southeast Tourism Society. On February 6, watch the breathtaking Mardi Gras Lighted Boat Parade on Lake
Charles. The next day, attend the Mardi Gras Royal Gala, featuring 42 krewes with all their royalty. Then
on Mardi Gras day, the Krew of Krews Parade provides excitement for everyone.
 Experience Mardi Gras
for yourself anywhere along the SouthCoastUSA and “Laissez les Bon Temp Roulez!” (Let the good times roll!)
(To register for the Mardi Gras Sweepstakes and for information on SouthCoast and its Mardi Gras activities, click
to www.southcoastusa.com.)
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