PAGEANTRY! PARADES! EXOTIC FLOATS! OUTRAGEOUS COSTUMES! MASKED CROWDS! CARNIVAL ROYALTY! HIGH-STEPPING! STRUTTERS MOVING TO THE RHYTHMS OF DIXIELAND JAZZ! UNINHIBITED MERRY-MAKING! MARDI GRAS!

Mardi Gras celebrations go back several hundred years. The term “Mardi Gras” means “Fat Tuesday” and refers to the day before Ash Wednesday – the first of the forty days of lent preceding Easter. Christians on the time customarily gave up meat and other indulgences during lent, thus “carneval” or “farewell to meat” - - became “Carnival”, a festive period when over-indulgence was in order.

The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple, gold, and green. However, Krewes (secret groups that make up the cast of characters in Mardi Gras) selected their own colors to brandish during Carnival. Kings and Queens and courts of these krewes are selected with utmost secrecy. Beads, doubloons, and other trinkets are tossed to spectators along the Mardi Gras route as “throws” – the traditional souvenirs of every Mardi Gras.

Because Mardi Gras is celebrated in various cultures around the world costumes and music vary according to location. Lake Wales has incorporated traditions from many of them including feathered costumes from Rio, Dixieland Jazz, Blues and Zydeco music, Cajun food and mask from New Orleans. Another tradition adapted from New Orleans is the Krewe of Rex as the lead Krewe in the parade escorting the Queen of Carnival and Prince of Wailes (our version of rex, King of Carnival). The Prince of Wailes is selected from the members of the Krewe of Rex. The Queen of the Carnival is selected by the hiding of the “Golden Bead” in the ceremonial “King Cake” which will be served to all the ladies present – she who finds the golden bead will take her place beside the King of Carnival.

The essence of Mardi Gras is in participation and be best explained in the words of Robert Tallant:

“Mardi Gras is s spirit….an immortal one….as immortal as man’s ability to make believe, to escape the dreariness of everyday life that is most of men’s portion, to have fun, laugh, and to play…Mardi Gras is very old, but it is also very young. It belongs to the past, yet also to the present and the future. It will exist in other forms, in other times, in other places. It would be wonderful if the clown in the grinning mask should appear on all the Main Streets of the world, if . . . there could be a season, or at least a day, devoted to laughter.”

5k Glow Run

February 17 at 6pm

This year's course is designed for speed and to eliminate road crossings. The entire race is contained on the path surrounding Lake Wailes.

Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good times roll! Get back to running and join the MOST FUN AND FESTIVE 5K in town! Light up the night with us at the Lake Wales Mardi Gras Glow Run 5K presented by SouthState Bank.

Join us for a celebration at Lake Wailes Park with food & drinks, kid’s zone, entertainment, fun post-race party, and much more!

Official Mardi Gras Glow Run t-shirt, finisher medal, and access to all activities & post-race party for all participants! The Route this year will be on the Path on the Shores around Lake Wailes.

The Lake Wales Mardi Gras Glow Run 5K is a fun way to get decked out and be festive, while racing to raise funds for local charities. Put on your favorite neon get up and crack the glow sticks! Bring a team of friends, family and co-workers to run or walk, spread smiles and good cheer … and LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

The event is at beautiful Lake Wailes Park, in Lake Wales. Day of registration will be available. Plenty of parking is available at the lake. FUN! FESTIVE! FAMILY-FRIENDLY!

Location: On the Path at the Shores of Lake Wales

Register Here

Parade

Parade begins at 3:00 pm Saturday, February 18th, 2023

Bring Your Chairs And Grab A Great Spot Early As Spaces Fill Up Quickly!

There Will Be Tons Of Activities To Do All Day Long, So Don’t Miss It!
 
Things To Bring

• Lawn Chairs
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Shade (Umbrella)

Location: Starts at Park Ave - Stuart Ave - Central Ave End at Lakeshore Blvd

Live Music on the Weikert Ford Stage:

Friday 2/17
 
Tone Smashers - 6:00
B Haven - 7:30
Soul To Earth - 8:15

Saturday 2/18

Red Headed Stepchild - 12:00
Micah Madore Band - 1:15
Evil Bill & The Strugglebus - 2:30

- Parade -

Rusty Wright Band - 4:30
Black Eyed Soozie - 5:45
Free Whiskey Band - 7:00

- Fireworks -

Almost There - 8:30

Kids Corral

Kid's Craft Tent

We help your kids create their very own Mardi Gras mask. They can decorate it with bling, feathers and more.

Trina's Trains

Trina will allow kids to take a train ride through out the downtown area.

Face Painting

Face Painting will be located in the craft vendor area in the Market Place.

Carnival Games and Fun

We will have tons of games and fun for kids of all ages. Win prizes and more!

Food Vendors for Kids

We will have food vendors near the Kids Corral. Hot Dogs, Snow Cones, Italian Ice and more.

Date: February 17-18, 2023

Time:

Friday, 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Saturday, 10:00am to 11:00pm

Mardi Gras Parade at 3:00 P.M.

Click Here For More Information