Beach Mardi Gras Feb. 2013

There’s a big difference between New Orleans and Panama City Beach, Fl. The former is a bustling city in the deepest depths of Louisiana – famous for its cobbled streets, jazz music and rich history. Panama City Beach however is a vibrant vacation destination, offering powder soft sandy beaches, a small town ambience and year-round fun in the sun. So what exactly do these two have in common?

The answer is Mardi Gras (or “Fat Tuesday”) as it translates. This lavish, colorful festival that brings millions of visitors to New Orleans annually can now be experienced right here in Panama City Beach! This is no overly optimistic attempt to recreate the real thing – the Panama City Beach Mardi Gras festivities are big, loud and gaining momentum with each passing year. If you’ve never seen a Mardi Gras parade for yourself, you can’t afford to miss the biggest celebrations in Northwest Florida, right here in Panama City Beach at Pier Park!

The one thing that sets Mardi Gras in Panama City Beach apart is that this is no wild, bead slinging adult-themed event as it can be in New Orleans. No sir, this is a family-friendly party, and even though there’s always plenty of beads flying around, parents have no need to worry here. It’s all good traditional fun, with spectacular costumes, masks and floats that will have the kids jumping up and down. The various Mardi Gras “Krewes” do a fantastic job of bringing all the flavors and sounds of New Orleans to the weekend festivities – and of course there are ample opportunities to sample some sizzling Cajun cuisine, mingle with the entertainers and get into the Mardi Gras spirit.

Mardi Gras at the beach will culminate with a jaw dropping fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico! Everything will be taking place at Pier Park, Panama City Beach’s newest entertainment complex, with its numerous boutiques, stores, eateries and attractions. As if you needed another reason to visit Panama City Beach that weekend, don’t forget that temperatures should be mild, condo and hotel rates are currently off-peak and the beaches are uncrowded this time of year!

So – if you’re looking to get away for the weekend and enjoy some family fun, come on down to Panama City Beach for Mardi Gras – it’s set to be the biggest and best year yet!