Now that Christmas and the New Year’s festivities are behind us, Pensacola’s thoughts turn to Mardi Gras. Local bakeries offer King Cakes of all varieties, and several restaurants have cakes delivered from New Orleans.The red and green holiday decorations from last month give way to purple, green, and gold.
Mardi Gras celebrations in Pensacola date back to the1870’s, making it one of the oldest in the United States. Parades in Pensacola and Pensacola Beach tend to be family friendly and well attended.
One of the largest parades is the Pensacola Mardi Gras Grand Parade on February 25th. This parade rolls down the heart of downtown Pensacola, one of the original celebration sites for Mardi Gras in the U.S. and is the highlight of the Mardi Gras season each February. This parade lists over 6,000 participants and starts at Spring and Garden St at 2:00 pm. Look for downtown vendors to join in the celebration with food and libations as well as activities for the kids and fun zones free of alcohol.
Pensacola Beach
Downtown Pensacola is the place to be for our Mardi Gras Street Party on February 28, 2017. The procession begins at 5:00 pm at Palafox and Government Street.
You can proactively work off those Mardi Gras calories at the Double Bridge Run on February 4, 2017. Starting at 101 W Main Street, this event crosses over two bridges, across Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. The course includes Pensacola's historic district, Bayfront Parkway, a run through Gulf Breeze, and onto Pensacola Beach. The 5K invites both runners and walkers to travel from Gulf Breeze to beautiful Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island and the Gulf Islands Seashore.
While you find yourself downtown, be sure to check out the vendors on Saturday morning at the Palafox Market. The market offers to produce, baked goods, plants, art and jewelry sold by the good folks who grew, baked and made their wares. No weekend is complete without a trip to the market and then on to Joe Patti’s.
