Mardi Gras on Island kicks off local celebrations

FORT WALTON BEACH — A little bit of New Orleans is coming to Fort Walton Beach with the “Mardi Gras on the Island” celebration on Saturday.

It’s time to laissez les bon temps rouler, Okaloosa Island style.

Sponsored by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, “Mardi Gras on the Island” is a full day of activities, starting with the Mardi Gras Parade on Okaloosa Island at 11 a.m.

There will be beads, treats, and even more beads as colorful floats make their way down Santa Rosa Boulevard, starting at Tarpon Drive, working their way under Brooks Bridge, and ending near Marler Avenue.

Floats will pass by the reviewing stand in front of The Breakers, where judges will make their decisions on awards in various categories. Come and watch or join in the fun by entering your own Mardi Gras-themed float. There is still time to register a float by contacting the Chamber at 850-244-8191.

Parking is available at The Boardwalk, with a shuttle to take parade attendees to and from the parade between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Right after the parade, there will be a Block Party sponsored by Helen Back on Amberjack Drive. From noon to 5 p.m., there will be fun, food and festivities, including a crawfish boil, and a kid zone. Music will be provided by Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe.

Later that evening, the Chamber will host the Mardi Gras Ball at the Emerald Coast Conference Center from 8 p.m. to midnight. Come in costume or your favorite Mardi Gras finery.

Enjoy the sounds of the Swingin’ Dick Tracys and sample food items provided by Chamber-member restaurants. The menu includes Creole steak over steamed rice, buffalo chicken dip, crab dip, gumbo, pasta shrimp Creole, and king cakes and petit fours.

Some participating restaurants are: D’Wons, Brooks Bridge BBQ, Aramark Catering, and Adonna’s. There will also be a cash bar.

Tickets are $35 each or $400 for a corporate table of 10 and can be purchased at the Chamber building, 34 Miracle Strip Parkway S.E. in Fort Walton Beach or online at fwbchamber.org/mardigras.

“Mardi Gras on the Island” is also sponsored by A to Z Security and Sound, the City of Fort Walton Beach, Cox, Cumulus Broadcasting, Emerald Coast Tourism Development Council, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Golden Corral-Fort Walton Beach, Helen Back, Image Printing and Digital Services, Northwest Florida Daily News, Qantum, ResortQuest, and White-Wilson Medical Center.

For more details, contact Patti Bohnsack, director of special events for the Chamber, at 244-8191.

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DESTIN – Let the good times roll at the second annual Mardi Gras Parade on the Harbor at 2 p.m. Feb. 13. The festive parade will make its way down the Destin harbor and through the crowds at the village.

The finale is a post-parade party, Zydeco Jam and award celebration. The Dent Bros. and New Orleans Ramblers will lead the procession.

Individuals, civic organizations, community groups and Mardi Gras Krewes are invited to participate. For the parade entry form or more details, visit harborwalkdestin.com.

All proceeds benefit Destin Harvest. Non-perishable food donations are encouraged by parade participants and will be collected by participating HarborWalk Village merchants. Call 585-5451.

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SEASIDE — Laissez les bon temps rouler on Feb. 13 with a fun-filled day of Mardi Gras revelry for both the young and young at heart.

Let your inner artist shine between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Seaside Kids with Abrakadoodle. Enjoy face painting, art projects and other fun while gearing up for the Fourth Annual Seaside Kids Mardi Gras Parade.

The parade, which will be led by The Michael Foster Project from Baton Rouge, La., will begin at 2 p.m. Wear purple, green and gold to show off your Mardi Gras spirit while marching through the streets of Seaside.

The parade starts in front of Seaside Kids and makes its way around Central Square. After the parade, join Michael as he and his second line band perform throughout town until 4 p.m.