If you haven't experience a Mardi Gras parade, you need to add it to your bucket list! And if you have, you have to add Pensacola Beach's Mardi Gras parade to your list! This parade isn't the French Quarter or Mobile. It is small and family friendly! That doesn't mean you won't have a good time, or see some strange and wild costumes and floats. it means you can bring your youngest children or even your mom and not have to worry about anyone taking offense!
The Krews actually favor children in their "gifting" and throwing treats from the floats, or simply handing right into little hands. But there is still plenty of grown-up fun to be had.
The bars and restaurants have the bushwackers flowing, to help you beat the heat of a warm February day. And there is always a lot of friendly competition for beads, treats and toys along the route. But best of all, there are tons of people ready to have a good time and enjoy the spectacle!
Staying at Tiki House or another rental home or house on the beach is the best way to enjoy the parade. No parking, no traffic jams! Just walk or ride a bike down to Avenida 10 or farther and wait for the parade to appear. And get your Mardi Gras fix!
Coastal Living has rated all the Mardi Gras in a great article. You can actually catch both Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach's parade in the same visit, the same weekend. The downtown parade is on Saturday and the Beach parade is on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. And if that isn't enough, you still have time to head over to Mobile or even New Orleans for the another type of adventure altogether!
To find out more about the history, the krewes, events, and the parade, go to the Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras web page!
Information about Pensacola's Mardi Gras and the parade route are below.
Remember, you can make your stay at Tiki House Pensacola Beach an adventure or a retreat. It is all up to you. Either way, Tiki House is still the BEST vacation on the beach!
Mardi Gras Pensacola style is just big enough to have a ton of fun!