Join the Mardi Gras Celebration Parade
Join the Mardi Gras Celebration Parade
Applications Being Accepted for Floats and Walking Groups to Join Ellicottville’s Wildest Weekend
ELLICOTTVILLE - Pull out the masks and break out the beads, the wildest weekend you’ll ever experience is just around the corner! 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!”
Gather your ski buddies, co-workers or just yourself and start planning your very own Mardi Gras Parade theme. Parade applications are now available at ellicottvilleny.com. The best part: It’s FREE! The parade, which will take place Saturday, March 9th at 6:00pm, will make its way from Katy’s Cafe to the Gazebo in front of Town Hall, led by this year’s Queens (yes, plural… there are five of them!), 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. And with his prediction of an early spring, we’re expecting the weather to be calm and cooperative.”
Past parades have seen quite an eclectic mix of fun and creativity - from Old Man Winter and snow angels to minions and playing cards… even a group dressed in life size solo cups! How creative can YOU get?
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!