Mardi Gras Close to Home
You don’t have to travel all the way to Rio de Janeiro or New Orleans to enjoy the pageantry and fun of Mardi Gras. Covington’s MainStrasse Village is putting on its 13th annual celebration on Friday and Saturday, February 20 and 21.
After the cold and snowy end to January and beginning of February, the organizers are banking on cabin fever and better weather to motivate people to get out and enjoy the event.
“This is the first festive event after being inside during the winter months, and people really look forward to watching the parade and participating in our Mardi Gras,” says Jerry Bamberger, Executive Director of MainStrasse Village Association.
“Because we pay particular attention to safety, the MainStrasse Village Association has limited the number of participants to 6,000 each night. The reason is that bars, restaurants and pubs can accommodate 2,500 patrons in their establishments and we can hold over 3,000 patrons in the Entertainment Tent. We also don’t want to ask people to show up and not be able to take care of them,” he continues. In years past, the head count at the event has gone into the tens of thousands.
This year’s festivities will include entertainment from Kristen Key and Forehead. Kristen Key is a Cincinnati-based singer, songwriter and musician who has opened for such acts as Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles, Yellowcard, and Vanessa Carlton and will be releasing her first album later this year.
And, of course, there will be plenty of beads and beer for everyone. Beads are currently available at MainStrasse Village businesses and will be at the Goose Girl Fountain and Mardi Gras Entertainment Tent during the event. And as for liquid refreshment, there will be a variety of beer on hand to enjoy. “Both Budweiser domestic and Heidelberg imports will be available,” says Bamberger. “There will be plenty of Cajun food from jambalaya, red beans and rice, crawfish and hot Italian sausage sandwiches to choose from.”
One of the highlights each year is the Big Head Parade. “There will be over 40 Big Heads ranging from Betty Boop to various Walt Disney characters,” Bamberger explains. You can catch the Big Head Parade on Friday night, as well as the Grande Parade on Saturday. The parades, entertainment tent and Cajun food booths open at 8:00 pm, and the party lasts until 1:00 am each night.
Tickets for this year’s MainStrasse Village Mardi Gras are only $8 for one night or $15 for both nights if purchased online at www.Mainstrasse.org by February 13. After February 13, tickets will cost $12 for one night or $20 for both.
We go to this every year and always have a blast. I’ve never heard of Kristen Key though, she better be good.