Pure Mardi Gras Fun in the Pensacola Bay Area

Pensacola, Fla. – Nov. 23, 2010 – Pensacola Mardi Gras offers revelers the best of both worlds: colorful parades and costumes alongside a magnificent backdrop of sugar-white beaches.

Mardi Gras festivities are open to families, offering the perfect alternative. Celebrating Mardi Gras since 1874, Pensacolians host four parades every year featuring masked characters, fun throws and elaborate floats that sail along the area’s beaches. And, with temperatures typically in the mid 60s, there is plenty of Florida sunshine to go around.

Parade Dates

• Mardi Gras Kid and Kritter Krawl. Feb. 26. This walking parade on Pensacola Beach is open to children and pets of any kind. www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
• Pensacola Downtown Lighted Parade. March 4. At 8 p.m., the Krewe of Lafitte, Pensacola’s hometown pirates, hosts their annual illuminated Mardi Gras parade in historic downtown Pensacola. Visitors can watch pirate ships parade down Palafox Street and start the weekend with lots of treats. www.pensacolamardigras.com
• Pensacola Downtown Grand Parade. March 5. Pensacola’s biggest and best-attended parade is held in downtown Pensacola at 2 p.m. Most of the area’s krewes participate, giving visitors two hours of free entertainment. Afterward, the crowd follows the costumed characters to Seville Quarter for even more fun. www.pensacolamardigras.com
• Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras Parade. March 6. At 2 p.m. on Pensacola Beach is the Krewe of Wrecks parade. The Gulf of Mexico and sugar-white sands are the backdrop for the final parade of the weekend. www.pensacolabeachchamber.com

Mardi Gras Weekend Specials

Downtown

• Victorian Bed & Breakfast - Enjoy the company of friendly owners and the quaint décor of a Victorian mansion in downtown Pensacola. Rates start at $85. (850) 434-2818, www.pensacolavictorian.com
• New World Landing – Spend the night just steps from the downtown parade route and Pensacola Bay on Palafox Place. Rates start at $109. (850) 434-7736, www.newworldinn.com
• Sole Inn and Suites – Stay right on the parade route on Palafox Street in the heart of downtown. Rates start at $149. (850) 470-9298, www.soleinnandsuites.com
• Residence Inn by Marriott – Stay in the heart of downtown Pensacola and receive a 10 percent discount over Mardi Gras weekend. (850) 432-0202

Pensacola Beach

• Paradise Inn – Enjoy a casual weekend directly on Santa Rosa Sound. Paradise Inn is located on the beach parade route with a lively bay-side bar and grill. Rates start at $110. (850) 932-2319, www.paradiseinn-pb.com
• Springhill Suites by Marriott – Stay right on the Pensacola Beach parade route and the Gulf of Mexico for $169 per night. (850) 932-6000, www.springhillsuitespensacolabeach.com
• JME Vacations – Stay in a condo or beach house right on the Pensacola Beach parade route. When you stay two nights, you get the third night free over Mardi Gras weekend. www.jmevacations.com
• Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach Gulf Front - Book Friday and Saturday night and stay Sunday night for $79. Complimentary hot breakfast and in-room high speed wireless internet. 2 Via DeLuna Drive, (850)932-6800

Pensacola Bay Area

• Comfort Inn Davis Highway – Stay near the downtown Pensacola parade route for just $79 per night, (850) 484-8070
• Hilton Garden Inn – Just a short drive from the downtown parades, this new property is offering a rate of $119. (850) 479-8900, www.hiltongardeninnpensacola.com
• Perdido Realty – Get a 15 to 25 percent discount on a condo in Perdido Key over Mardi Gras weekend. (850) 492-1102, www.perdidokey.com

Mardi Gras Quick Facts

• Mardi Gras was first celebrated by the ancient Greeks more than 5,000 years ago.
• The celebrations first came to the United States at the end of the 17th century when the French began having masked balls and parties.
• The colors of Mardi Gras are purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.
• Mardi Gras literally means Fat Tuesday. It is the day before Ash Wednesday that begins the Lenten season.
• Mardi Gras is celebrated primarily along the Gulf Coast of the United States.

For more information about the Pensacola Bay Area or to request a Visitor Guide, contact Visit Pensacola at (800) 874-1234 or (850) 434-1234 or go online to www.VisitPensacola.com.

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