Mardi Gras Party to Open Festivities on February 19th

A festive evening of colorful costumes, dance music, food and fun is in store for guests at a special Mardi Gras themed party hosted by the Lake Wales Woman's Club. The party, slated for Saturday, February 19, comes exactly a week ahead of the climactic day of the Lake Wales Mardi Gras, when area "krewes" will parade through the streets of the city showing off their best costumes and floats.

The party will be the first return to a long tradition of krewe costume balls that was ended by the Covid pandemic. The 2021 celebrations were cancelled completely. The event will feature the music of the popular "Bittersweet" band, featuring rock tunes from the 1960's through recent hits. Tickets to the dance party are $15 per person and are available at the door. Costumes and Mardi Gras colors are expected, and attendees are encouraged to "break out the beads," popular parade throws.

Mardi Gras is a 45-year tradition in Lake Wales. It often draws crowds in excess of ten thousand spectators for the main events. Individual 'krewes" or parading clubs create their own themes, often accompanied by performance or dance routines during the parade.

Friday, February 25 and Saturday, February 26, the final weekend of the Carnival season, feature a line-up of musical acts on stage at Lake Wailes Park. Details are available at LWMardiGras.com.