Saturday’s Grand Mardi Gras parade went off without a hitch despite construction on the traditional parade route that diverted traffic.
The crowds were as eager as always to take in the 230-plus floats and krewes that cruised the downtown streets in front of tens of thousands of people. As one of the largest Mardi Gras parades in the South after the famous New Orleans festivities, the Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras parade continues to grow each year.
If you missed it, you’ve got one more opportunity this season to experience the fun. Here’s what’s in store for the next few days.
Krewe of Wrecks Pensacola Beach Parade
When: 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15
Where: Via de Luna from Avenida 11 to the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach
The Krewe of Wrecks Parade is the last parade of the season and it’s held on Pensacola Beach. This is a smaller parade that first happened in 1980.
How will construction impact beach parade?
The Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras Parade on Sunday is expected to draw thousands to Santa Rosa Island. This year, the timing of the parade coincides with a $4.5 million Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) reclaimed water main project that started in September. ECUA says it’s 90% finished and will be completed before the March deadline.
Construction has resulted in intermittent lane closures and impacted traffic flow on beach roads and the toll plaza area. Equipment and construction materials are also staged in some public parking areas in the “core” of the beach.
With so many people expected to pour onto Pensacola Beach for the Mardi Gras Parade, county leaders say the barricades on the Bob Sikes Bridge will be gone and all lanes leading onto the beach will be open. The county is working «hand in hand with ECUA» on barricades and traffic flow management, as well as traffic engineers to monitor traffic jams and help “flush” the beach to ensure timely exits when the event winds down.
Where to park for Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras parade
Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Jessica Simpson acknowledges there will be some parking challenges.
The parking lot near the Sand Shaker will remain barricaded due to construction and half of the Casino Beach parking lot will be closed off to accommodate Mardi Gras floats, which is standard procedure.
The beach parade starts at 2 p.m. and Simpson encourages visitors to come early, relax with brunch at a beach business if you can, but arrive no later than 11 a.m. because road closures for the parade will begin by 1:50 p.m.