The Carnival revelry begins Friday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m. with the Mardi Gras Pub Crawl with Destin Nights. Wear your best Mardi Gras costume and party at all of HarborWalk Village’s clubs and restaurants. Purchase an armband for $10 to benefit Josh’s Journey. Learn more at joshsjourney.org
The celebration continues Saturday, March 1, at HarborWalk Village’s 6th Annual Mardi Gras Parade. A record number of more than 100, make this the biggest Mardi Gras parade in the area, organizers say. The Village Brass Band will bring the authentic sound of New Orleans on their float as well as local school bands from Liza Jackson Middle School, Fort Walton Beach High School and Choctaw High School. Enjoy dazzling floats, colorful costumes, street performers, and float riders tossing handfuls of beads as the parade rolls at 2 p.m. Stay and enjoy live music on the main stage after the parade. Proceeds benefit the 33rd Fighter Wing Booster Club.
Celebrate Fat Tuesday, March 4, at a large street party and the ribbon cutting of HarborWalk Village’s newest restaurant Jackacudas Seafood and Sushi. Street party-goers can enjoy free red beans and rice sponsored by Jackacudas at 5 p.m. Enjoy live music and festivities at all the Village venues, including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Coyote Ugly Saloon, La Famiglia Italian restaurant, Crab Island Cantina, Harry T’s Lighthouse and Jester’s Dacquiri.
On March 8, Crab Island Cantina will host The Tequila and Taco Fest with tastings of great tequilas and unique styles of tacos. This fest will feature live entertainment from Gypsy Riot, and a chance to win big prizes. For a $10 tasting armband you can enjoy the tequila and tacos or for $25 you can enjoy the afternoon’s activity and join the VIP after-party at Crab Island Cantina, which will include upscale tequilas, raffles and live entertainment. Proceeds from the $10 tasting and VIP ticket benefit the Salvation Army.