Welcome to Mardi Gras Weekend
Welcome to Mardi Gras Weekend
Ellicottville Transforms Into a New Orleans Inspired Ski Town This Weekend
Photos / @visitellicottville
Pull out the masks and break out the beads, the wildest weekend you’ll ever experience in Ellicottville is here! Mardi Gras and Winter Carnival Weekend in Ellicottville delivers a New Orleans style celebration with a ski town twist. We’re looking forward to sharing in all the zany fun with everyone that’s headed to Ellicottville this Saturday and Sunday, March 9th and 10th. You can expect plenty of colorful costumes and high-energy vibes both on and off the slopes!
“The highlight of the weekend is the annual Mardi Gras Parade down Washington Street Saturday evening,” said Barb Pump, Executive Assistant of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, which produces the event. “Many of our local businesses and organizations have signed up to participate this year. And we’re extra excited to have Punxsutawney Phil as our honorary Grand Marshall! Kids get such a kick out of seeing the famous weather predicting fella!”
You don’t have to be a business to march in the parade. ANYONE can join the fun! Advance registration is highly recommended (go to ellicottvilleny.com), but for those reading this last minute, you can sign up the day of the parade. Gather your ski buddies, your co-workers or that group you met at the bar last night, and figure out those costumes, but do it lickety-split! On-the-spot registration will take place at Katy’s Cafe at 5:00pm Saturday. (It’s FREE!) For those pre-registered, the Chamber asks that you arrive at Katy’s no later than 5:30pm. And for all you spectators, if you want a good view, we recommend you head to Ellicottville’s main drag by 6:00pm, or you may just find yourself buried in the back.
“Mardi Gras Weekend always brings a great crowd of families, friends, locals and visitors,” said Pump. “Everyone looks forward to seeing all the creativity that goes into the costumes. And we can’t wait to unveil this year’s Mardi Gras King and Queen!”
The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce reminds everyone that the Mardi Gras Parade is a family-friendly event. 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.
Need more details? Head to ellicottvilleny.com and follow the Ellicottville Chamber on Facebook and Instagram (@visitellicottville).
WINTER CARNIVAL
For those heading on snow this weekend, Holiday Valley has again packed a full schedule of festive fun both Saturday and Sunday for their annual Winter Carnival celebration, with this year’s theme focused around “Outer Space”.
Visitors can expect the return of the Dummy Downhill and Beer Slalom races on Yodeler, along with the Mercy Flight raffle, scavenger hunt and plenty of options to fill your belly - from the Ski Patrol Pancake Breakfast at the Mountain Top Warming Hut to the Safety Patrol cookout at the base of Yodeler. Snowmakers will be serving up drinks for charity at the Snowbar, and live music is scheduled all around the resort.
But perhaps the most anticipated event of the weekend at Holiday Valley is the Winter Carnival Costume Parade on Sunday at noon. Everyone is invited to don their creativity and ski/snowboard down Mardi Gras slope for a chance to vie for some really great prizes! Costume judging will take place at the base of Mardi Gras and costumed skiers/snowboarders are reminded that they are required to participate in the entire parade in order to be entered to win. For additional details about the parade, along with a complete schedule of Winter Carnival events or to view the slope report, go to holidayvalley.com.
