Celebrate Mardi Gras with these Corpus Christi-area events
It's the time of year when we cheer and wave in hopes of getting glittering strings of beads in our hands — and in Corpus Christi, some sand between our toes.
It's Mardi Gras.
The celebration begins after the Christian Epiphany and ends on the day before Ash Wednesday (this year Feb. 14).
Mardi Gras is French for 'Fat Tuesday', and the typical colors you'll see around the celebration are purple, green and gold.
If this is something you'd like to celebrate, there are plenty of options this weekend, and some of the proceeds will help area nonprofits.
Area Mardi Gras events
Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade and Festival
This annual event at the beach — leave your shoes in the car — is family-friendly and proceeds will benefit the Seashore Learning Center and the Port Aransas Elementary School, officials said.
The parade, which begins at 11 a.m., features more than 40 Mardi Gras-themed floats moving down the sand off Park Road 22 between Access Road 4 and Bob Hall Pier.
After the parade, head over to the festival at the Briscoe King Pavillion. The festival will feature live music by OTB, about a dozen food trucks, a kids zone with activities and art vendors.
The King and Queens Ball, a party for adults older than 21, will follow the parade at The Veranda Restaurant and Bar at Schlitterbahn.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade & Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 10
WHERE: Padre Balli Park, 15820 Park Road 22.
COST: Free to watch the parade. $5 for the festival, free for kids 15 and younger. $30 for King and Queen's Ball.
INFORMATION: https://www.facebook.com/barefoot.mardigras/ or http://www.barefootmardigras.com/
LaMardi Gras
LaMardi Gras is a fundraising celebration with proceeds to benefit the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department.
The event on Friday and Saturday in Lamar, nine miles north of Rockport on Highway 35, will feature gumbo, barbecue, jambalaya, ribs, turkey legs and more. Food and beverage tickets can be purchased at a ticket booth for $1 each.
The event will also feature live music by Monkey Bizzness, Cruise Control, Ca Va Bien Cajun Band, Shiner Hobo Band and Rip Tide. The festival will also feature a silent auction, a parade and a king and queen coronation.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: LaMardi Gras
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 9 from 5-11 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
WHERE: 302 Bois D'Arc Street, Rockport
COST: Food and beverage prices vary
INFORMATION: check out the festival full schedule at http://www.lamardigras.com/
Mardi Gras Blues, Brews & Crawfish Festival
If you're a fan of the Texas Jazz Festival, you'll love this event.
On Sunday, the Texas Jazz Festival Society will host Mardi Gras Blues, Brews & Crawfish Festival at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center Pavilion. The outdoor festival will celebrate the rich history of 'the blues' and will feature country, zydeco, R&B and soul music.
The festival also will feature a kids zone, food trucks, Mardi Gras beads, craft beer tasting and a silent auction benefiting the Texas Jazz Festival Society.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Mardi Gras Blues, Brews & Crawfish Festival
WHEN: 1-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11
WHERE: Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center, 402 Harbor Drive.
COST: $10
Purchase tickets at www.mardigrasscc.eventbrite.com
Mardi Gras Gala and Casino Night
The 14th annual Mardi Gras celebration, sponsored by Corpus Christi Evening Rotary and the Order of the Sparkling City. The event will feature music, dancing, dining, masquerade, casino games, a silent auction, raffles, and more. Proceeds will benefit CASA of the Coastal Bend, Communities in Schools, and the Rotary Foundation.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Mardi Gras Gala and Casino Night
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 10 7 p.m. to midnight
WHERE: Omni Bayfront Hotel, 900 N. Shoreline Blvd.
COST: $100/ticket (includes dinner and $1000 in chips); cash bar. No tickets will be sold tickets at the door.
INFORMATION: https://www.facebook.com/events/628101747521595/ or call (361) 992-8531
Share your Mardi Gras photos on social media using #VivaCC
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