Celebrate Mardi Gras during this SC festival and parade happening soon. Here’s when & where
Ready to let the good times roll? Join the Town of Port Royal this Saturday, Feb. 22, for an evening full of Mardi Gras festivities.
In this 2nd annual celebration, the “Krewe” of Port Royal is bringing all the fun, food and flare of Mardi Gras to the Lowcountry.
This parade and festival will be filled with music, floats, beads and more. Parade participants will range from dazzling floats, marching bands, dance troupes and even those simply showing off their Mardi Gras spirit.
The parade will kick off at 4 p.m. on Feb. 22 and is set to follow the same route as last year, starting at 1625 Paris Avenue, right at the United States Post Office.
If you’re still searching for a great spot to watch the floats go by, any spot along Paris Avenue between 16th and 11th streets will give you a great view to catch all the action.
Traveling down Paris Avenue, the parade is set to continue down 11th Street and end at Shellring Aleworks for an after-party fully equipped with live New Orleans-inspired music from the band Kanola, delicious food from local food trucks and face painting to revel in the excitement of a true Mardi Gras celebration, making it the perfect event for the whole family.
Food options promise to bring classic Cajun and Creole flavors to the celebration, including authentic New Orleans dishes like jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish and beignets.
The Mardi Gras parade and festival is presented by the Old Village Association of Port Royal. The event is free to attend.
What is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is a celebration that begins around the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminates on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, which this year, is on March 5.
The term “Mardi Gras” is French for “Fat Tuesday,” reflecting the tradition of indulging in rich foods on the final night before the Lenten season of fasting and sacrifice begins.
While Mardi Gras isn’t observed everywhere nationwide, many cities with French heritage hold vibrant celebrations.
Now, fittingly so, Port Royal has joined in on the fun.
The Port Royal area was first explored by French Huguenot Naval Officer, Jean Ribaut. In 1562, Ribaut led an expedition to the New World and established the outpost of Charlesfort on what is now Parris Island.
