Fayetteville Mardi Gras
It’s a Celebration twenty years in the making. Fayetteville Mardi Gras commemorates twenty years of merriment and mayhem March 5th -8th on Dickson Street and the Fayetteville Square.
The largest celebration of its kind in the State offers a variety of traditional Mardi Gras festivities. The schedule promises bead-filled fun with local Mardi Gras events, sure to shake off the winter blues. Sponsored by The Committee for Mardi Gras, Inc. (The Demented Krewe).
2011 Mardi Gras of Fayetteville Schedule:
-Friday, March 4th: Parade of Pearls at Fayetteville City Hospital.
-Saturday, March 5th: Bring the kids to the family-friendly Fat Saturday Parade of Fools, winding its way from the Fayetteville Square, north on Block Street to Dickson and West Streets. Always a Northwest Arkansas favorite, the 3 pm parade is a colorful mix of beads, costumed revelers and floats. Dogs in costume and on leashes and kids in costume join the fun as well. Entertainer and social advocate, Al “Papa Rap” Lopez, will serve as the 20th anniversary’s parade Grand Marshall.
Saturday night’s inaugural Masquerade of Fools: Funkytown Ball, is an evening of costumes, live music, dancing and funky festivities. Music starts at 7pm with The Sarah Hughes Band and Snake Eyes & The Bug Band. Doors open at 6:30, $10 cover, cash bar, 21 and up.
-Tuesday, March 8th. The merriment concludes with Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Celebration With The Demented Krewe. The evening offers lots of grownup fun at Jose’s Mexican Restaurant, 324 W. Dickson, with an authentic Cajun dinner, live music and coronation of the new King and Queen. Merrymaking continues at 7:30 with a traditional second-line parade up and down Dickson Street arriving at Zooloos about 10:30. Traditional fun with the Billy Zydeco Band, abundant in costumed revelry and bead tossing along the route.
The public is invited and encouraged to participate. Volunteers are needed. Parade walkers, barricade workers, float entries, clubs and walking groups are all welcome to help make this twentieth year, the largest Mardi Gras of Northwest Arkansas, ever. Any persons or groups interested in participating can find information and downloadable forms at www.fayettevillemardigras.com or contact Dixie Rhyne at 479-236-4794 or dementedkrewe@yahoo.com
