Pensacola Celebrates French Heritage with Mardi Gras

“Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez.” Let the good times roll. Pensacola, the “City of Five Flags,” has been ruled by Spain, France, England, The Confederate States of America and the United States. Come January, the 450-year-old city will be celebrating French style during its Mardi Gras festivities.

Mardi Gras might be known for raucous parties in New Orleans, but in Pensacola, it presents dozens of opportunities for family-friendly fun. From parades, delicious cuisines and balls to even a kritter krawl and kid’s parade, families and animals alike indulge in the delights of the carnival season.

Jan 8-18 - The only non-profit, all-volunteer experimental art gallery in Northwest Florida, Artel will showcase a collaborative exhibit of Mardi Gras masks to start off the season.

Jan 19 - Krewe of Junkanoo Kritter Krawl, Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach, noon – Mardi Gras fun isn’t just for people. Everyone enjoys this parade of family pets as creatures from snakes and lizards to hamsters, dogs and even horses get all decked out in their Mardi Gras garb and strut their stuff. The Krewe of Kids Parade immediately follows with the king and queen leading the way. Candy, moonpies and beads are tossed to spectators with plenty of flair.

Feb 1 - Krewe of Lafitte Parade in Downtown Pensacola, 8 p.m. – This is the season’s only illuminated parade and is a great way to start the weekend. Don’t forget to bring a bag for all the “throws” you are sure to get including everything from stuffed animals and beads to doubloons and moonpies.

Feb 2 - Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade in Downtown Pensacola, 2 p.m. – Nearly 200 floats roll down Palafox Street showering parade-goers with more goodies. Yell “throw me somethin’ mister” and you just might get more than you bargained for.

Feb 3 - Krewe of Wrecks Parade at Pensacola Beach, 2 p.m. – What could be better than sun, surf and spectacular floats? Not the sipping kind but the bizarre! Everything from ships to golf carts will be rollin’ down Via DeLuna Drive with plenty more beads, candy and other “throws” to toss to the crowds.

Feb 4 - Carnival Monday Red Beans and Rice Luncheon – Dig in and enjoy as the Krewe of Wrecks provides free red beans and rice on Pensacola Beach.

For 21 and Up

Jan 6 - Krewe of Nereids King Cake Party – Pensacola Beach
Jan 12 - Krewe of Nauga Champagne Breakfast – pajama attire, Pensacola Beach
Jan 18 - Krewe of Nereids Moon Pie Party – Pensacola Beach
Feb 5 - Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Priscus Procession & Priscus Ball, Pensacola

Where to Eat

Jerry’s Cajun Café and Market is the place to go for favorite Cajun specialties such as spicy jambalaya, savory crawfish pie and boudin balls – Cajun sausage and rice lightly breaded and golden fried.

J’s Pastry Shop has been serving up sweets for 60 years. Their traditional Mardi Gras king cake is one of the best in town. The cake, wreath-shaped and decorated with traditional Mardi Gras colors, dates back to Biblical times with the Three Kings and Baby Jesus. A tiny plastic baby is baked inside, and tradition holds that the person who gets the baby in their piece of cake must host the next king cake party.

Seville Quarter is the place to party in Downtown Pensacola. The 19th century building that once housed the Pensacola Cigar and Tobacco Company includes eight individual entertainment venues. For Mardi Gras, you can’t beat the Seville Quarter Hurricane, a tropical rum punch served in a souvenir glass. The festive adult drink features a sugar cube soaked in 151 Bacardi and lit on fire!

The Fish House offers up its signature dish Grits A Ya Ya, featuring grilled shrimp and mushrooms atop smoked Gouda cheese grits. The name comes from the Cajun belief that food can be so good it makes your mouth say ya-ya! The dish was developed by Chef Jim Shirley in 1998 during the Mardi Gras season to provide sustenance and a tasty treat during the marathon celebration.

Mardi Gras Quick Facts

Mardi Gras was first celebrated by the ancient Greeks more than 5,000 years ago. The celebrations first came to the United States in the Gulf Coast at the end of the 17th century when the French began having masked balls and parties.

The first Mardi Gras celebration in Pensacola was in 1874 when the first King Priscus was named by the Knights of Priscus. The name was taken from Tarquinas Priscus, Rome’s fifth king who began the circus and considered himself a knight of revelry.

Mardi Gras was not officially celebrated in Pensacola during the war years of 1919-1921. In 1918, King Priscus and his Queen were renamed, America and Liberty. All masks, noisemakers and confetti were illegal. Instead of purple, green and gold, colors were red, white and blue.

Mardi Gras literally means fat Tuesday. It is the day before Ash Wednesday that begins the Lenten season. The colors of Mardi Gras are purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.

Published on Saturday, November 10, 2007