Mardi Gras Celebrations in Florida

Universal Orlando isn't the only place in Florida to enjoy Mardi Gras celebrations, but it may very well be the biggest. Every Saturday night through April 14 the theme park will rock with some of the hottest internationally-known musicians during the Mardi Gras Concert Series — including last season's American Idol winner Taylor Hicks; world-renowned entertainer with 20 "billboard" No. 1 hits, Wynonna; Los Lonely Boys, Sean Paul; legendary Grammy winner, Donna Summer; plus, many more. The ultimate street party also features New Orleans-style cuisine, one of Florida's flashiest parades and beads, beads and more beads! Tickets for the "after five" event are just $44.95 plus tax, but Florida and Georgia residents can take advantage of special deals with specially-marked products.

• Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras
• Universal Orlando & Islands of Adventure
• Universal Orlando Hotels

The Fort Pierce Mardi Gras/Carnival 2007 kicks off with the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society's annual Mardi Gras/Carnival Parade which takes place in Historic Downtown Ft. Pierce on Saturday, February 17. This year an extended parade route, more featured performers and three stages of musical entertainment at the evening party promises a bigger and better-than-ever celebration! The day-long event kicks off Jazz Week and begins at 3:00 p.m. with the largest-ever Mardi gras parade featuring floats, marching bands and featured performers. Following the parade, the party will continue at Veterans' Memorial Park from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. Admission is free!

The Big Bend region of Florida becomes the "Big Easy" with two area celebrations. The first kicks off with a family-friendly Kid's Parade and Festival on Friday, February 9, in Historic Downtown St. Andrews near Panama City. More than 80,000 spectators from all over the southeast flock to the St. Andrews Mardi Gras Parade and Festival for the main event on Saturday, February 10 when more than 20 colorful floats and marching bands take to the streets for the annual parade. After the parade, the festival continues with live musical performances, games, festival food and children's rides.

If you live for beads, beads and more beads this time of year, then you won't want to miss the three days — yes, I said t-h-r-e-e days — of parades and parties in the Pensacola/Pensacola Bay area! First up is Pensacola's only illuminated parade of the season and a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event, the Krewe of Lafitte Parade at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16.

The Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade is Pensacola's biggest and best-attended parade. It kicks off at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 17. Finally, the Krewe of Wrecks Parade at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 18, is the highlight on Pensacola Beach. Both parades have also been named one of the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events.

Not only does Pensacola roll out some of the most extravagant colored floats to hoards of cheering crowds, but they also cook up some of the best treats of the season — from King Kakes to gumbo, red beans & rice to chili cook-offs — taste buds are sure to stand up and take notice of some of the following:

• The Gumo YaYa at Seville Quarter on Saturday, February 10, is reported to feature gumbo that is so good it makes your mouth say "YaYa." This cook-off benefits Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Cooking begins at noon and $10 public tastings follow from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• Lundi Gras (Rose Monday), traditional Red Beans & Rice will flow freely (that's free as in no charge) to the hungry Mardi Gras crowd at the Pensacola Beach parking lot as long as supplies last. The first plate of food will be served at 11:00 a.m. on February 19.

As the Pensacola Mardi Gras season winds down, the final celebration features two parades on Fat Tuesday, February 20:

• Those twenty-one and older can join the Priscus Procession & Priscus Ball in downtown Pensacola. While admission is free to the 5:00 p.m. event, community-minded participants will be running for King & Queen Priscus by raising the most money for charity.
• Pensacola's Beach's final celebration is the Krewe of Coma Parade at 6:00 p.m. at the Sandshaker.

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