Who Will Be King & Queen? You Decide!
Who Will Be King & Queen? You Decide!
Ellicottville Chamber Looking for Nominations to Lead This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade
Photos / Nadine Saviano
ELLICOTTVILLE - The wildest weekend you’ll ever experience in Ellicottville is just one week away! Mardi Gras and Winter Carnival Weekend in Ellicottville delivers a New Orleans style celebration with a ski town twist. Mark your calendars for March 9-10th and make plans to share in all the zany fun with your friends and family! From themed activities on the slopes to a full schedule of entertainment downtown, Ellicottville comes alive with plenty of colorful costumes and high-energy vibes.
“The highlight of the weekend is the annual Mardi Gras Parade down Washington Street,” said Barb Pump, Executive Assistant of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, which produces the event. “Many of our local businesses and organizations spend numerous hours getting creative and putting together marching groups and floats to enter into the parade. It’s always exciting to see what everyone comes up with!”
Past parades have seen quite an eclectic mix of fun and creativity - from Old Man Winter and snow angels to minions and playing cards, we even had a group dressed in life size solo cups…how creative can YOU get?
If you haven’t already, gather your ski buddies, co-workers or just yourself and start planning your very own Mardi Gras Parade theme. But do it quick... you’re running out of time! Parade applications are still available at ellicottvilleny.com and the best part: It’s FREE! The parade, which will take place Saturday, March 9th at 6:30pm, will make its way from Katy’s Cafe to the Gazebo in front of Town Hall, led by this year’s King and Queen, along with Ellicottville’s honorary Grand Marshall, Punxsutawney Phil!
“Mardi Gras Weekend always brings a great crowd of families, friends, locals and visitors,” said Pump. “And Punxsutawney Phil makes it that much more exciting! The REAL Punxsutawney Phil! Kids get such a kick out of seeing the famous weather predicting fella!”
This year’s King and Queen will depend on YOU! The Ellicottville Chamber is currently accepting nominations for this year’s parade leaders. Hop onto the Chamber’s Facebook page, look for the FB Live post about this year’s parade, and leave your nomination(s) in the Comments. You can nominate yourself or someone else!
The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce reminds everyone that the Mardi Gras Parade is a family-friendly event. As a reminder, no alcohol is permitted in the parade, and while candy and trinkets such as bead necklaces can be handed out to spectators, marchers are asked not to throw items into the crowd.
For even more fun, keep an eye out for Holiday Valley’s Winter Carnival schedule, which coincides with Mardi Gras Weekend and will surely keep the young and young at heart busy during the daytime hours.
Need more details? Head to ellicottvilleny.com or follow the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce on Facebook, @visitellicottville on Instagram and keep tabs on the latest leading up to the biggest party of ski season!
About Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce: The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce provides advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its members - setting the standard for excellence in member service, community collaboration, business growth while achieving a high quality of life in Ellicottville and the surrounding area. We foster and promote business with our members while stimulating local economic growth. For more information about the Ellicottville chamber of Commerce, including membership, please visit http://www.ellicottvilleny.com.