Pensacola Mardi Gras had planned to hold their event at the East Garden District, but the street will not be ready, due to unexpected construction delays.
May 28, 2021
The parade is set, and the krewes are ready for Carnivale Saturday at 2:00 Saturday afternoon..
“We’re recreating the spirit and energy of Mardi Gras with our Carnivale parade,” said Danny Zimmern, president of Pensacola Mardi Gras,. “We’re expecting great crowds on Saturday for this huge parade everyone is welcome.”
After the singing of the national anthem, the parade kicks off at Garden and Spring Streets with a very special and somber moment as Gold Star Members and Surviving Families are honored during a Memorial Tribute. The Northwest Florida Patriot Guard Riders will escort the special float along the parade route ahead of the Krewes.
As of May 26, more than 107,000 Escambia County residents have been fully vaccinated, according to the Florida Department of Health.
That s good news for the 50,000 or so people who are expected to attend Saturday s parade. Zimmern said he normally has about 200 groups and organizations signed up to participate in a normal Mardi Gras parade, each with multiple floats, but this year he has about 70% of the normal participation rates so far.
It’s not too late to sign up. Those interested in participating in the parade can still sign up until noon Friday at pensacolamardigras.com.
All of the major krewes are participating, including the Krewe of Lafitte and the Hip Huggers. There’s a dancing krewe coming from Biloxi, Mississippi, groups of twirlers and even a few local politicians.