The annual Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade is Saturday, February 22, in Corpus Christi. The parade travels along Padre Balli Beach to Bob Hall Pier, where a festival awaits at the King Brisco Pavilion. Courtesy photo
Mardi Gras, aka Fat Tuesday, kicks off the season of Lent with a final party before 40 days of reflection leading up to Easter Sunday, April 12. In Corpus Christi, a good deal of the fun takes place on the beach, although that is not all you can choose to do this coming celebratory week.
Officially, Fat Tuesday is, of course, on a Tuesday, the date changing according to when Easter falls. Mardi Gras 2020 is February 25, the last day of Carnival season and the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. All the Barefoot Mardi Gras events raise money for the Barefoot Charities, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Island Foundation Schools.
The festival kicks off its shoes in Corpus Christi at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 22, with the Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade. The parade travels along Padre Balli beach and ends at the Brisco King Pavilion by Bob Hall Pier, where the annual festival awaits with live music, artists, activities, and more. The parade is free; admission to the festival is $5.
On Sunday, a Jazz Brunch will be held, details to be announced here.
The King & Queen’s Ball begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, at Waves Resort, 14353 Commodore Drive on Padre Island. The ball includes Cajun food and live music. Adults only for the official procession and crowning of the new King and Queen. Costumes encouraged. Admission is $30 per person in advance and $40 at the door.
Here’s a list of other Mardi Gras events in the Coastal Bend.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
5-11 p.m.
Lamardi Gras Day 1
Lamar Volunteer Fire Department
302 Bois D’arc
Rockport
Two-day event begins Friday at the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department. A Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser with local flair happens every second Friday of February.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
8 a.m.
St. John’s Mardi Gras 5K
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
7522 Everhart Road
A fundraiser to help build a new Parish Activity Center. Stay for KEGGS & EGGS, a beer and egg taco breakfast after the race.
10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Lamardi Gras Day 2
Lamar Volunteer Fire Department
302 Bois D’arc
Rockport
Come for the parade, stay for the live music, food, drinks, auctions, casinos, and more. Proceeds pay for fire department equipment and training. The Lamar fire department is 100 percent volunteer.
11 a.m.
Mardi Gras and Margaritas with Sierra Dawn
Mikel Mays
Bob Hall Pier, Padre Balli Beach
A good way to knock your flip-flops off while enjoying the Barefoot Mardi Gras parade and festival.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
4-10 p.m.
Mardi Gras Crawfish Boil
C21 Grub and Social
5702 Spohn Drive
All-you-can-eat crawfish until they run out. Reservations needed at 361-884-1221.
Fat Tuesday Patio Crawfish Boil
HardKnocks Sports Grill
5862 Everhart Road
Crawfish boil on the patio with live music by Aaron Jacob beginning at 6 p.m. Includes beer, hurricanes, beads, and King’s Cake.
5-6 p.m.
Mardi Gras Parade
Corner of Beach and Station
Port Aransas
Line up for the parade in front of Gaff Bar, 323 Beach St., to be part of the parade or take your place along the road to cheer on the revelers. Parade includes decorated golf carts, bikes, trailers, cars, etc.
5-7 p.m.
Fat Tuesday Bash
Crunch Fitness
4108 South Staples St.
Special class, a mask contest, live DJ, prizes, vendors.
6 p.m.
A Founders’ Day Mardi Gras Awards Banquet
Corpus Christi Community Council of PTA
Solomon Ortiz Center
402 Harbor Drive
Doors open at 6 p.m.; dinner and parade begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person or $250 for a table of 10.
