Panama City Beach kicks off Mardi Gras celebration
Things got rolling at Pier Park around 5:00 this evening with the kid's parade. Several thousand lined the street to see the floats pass by, with Krewe members tossing beads and other goodies to the crowd. The straight-line parade took place at 5:30.
That's a walking parade with musicians from Lafayette, Louisiana, playing zydeco and Dixieland jazz. Besides the parades, families can enjoy a kid's zone and festival village.
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Tourism officials say Panama City Beach is gaining a reputation as a great place for families to celebrate Mardi Gras.
'I think what makes our mardi gras so special is what better combination than the beach and mardi gras festivities? And so you can come, you know, for a special weekend getaway and enjoy Panama City Beach, but also get to enjoy mardi gras. And I think that's a great combination,' Visit PCB Chief Marketing Officer Jayna Leach said.
Musical entertainment took the stage at 6:00 p.m., with 'Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band' closing out the night. Everything picks up again Saturday morning with 'The Band Feel' taking the Aaron Bessant Park stage at 11:45 a.m. followed by headliner Chris Janson at 1:30 p.m.
The parade is at 4:15 p.m., then two more bands will play at the celebration at the beach ball roundabout. And the fireworks display will wrap things up at 7:15 p.m..
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