Costume from the 2014 Mardis Gras Parade
Like everything, Asheville puts it’s own eccentric twist to the tradition of Mardis Gras. Ashevillians love! love! love! costumes and creative outbursts of pure joy, so Asheville and Mardis Gras is a perfect fit. Do not expect the bawdiness of Bourbon street, however. Even though this year’s theme is “Wild! Wild! Asheville!” this is a family celebration of creativity, zany fun, music and dance. Don’t expect a lot of alcohol and boorish behavior. Do expect a crowd having a roaring good time showing off their creative best. This is also not a tourist driven event. The Mardis Gras Parade is held on a Sunday afternoon so that locals and their families can enjoy it. We welcome tourists to come join the fun, but you may need to make it a three-day weekend. It’s well worth it to see Asheville’s creative community shine this brightly. The Mardis Gras Committee has called for entries emphasizing “zaniness, political satire, and amazing displays of populist art”. Examples shown here from past parades will give you a taste of what’s to come. The theme of Wild! Wild! Asheville! celebrates our reputation as a wild place in a beautifully wild mountain setting populated by artists and residents sharing a wild, free spirit where untamed creativity can be seen everywhere. Our local art, music and food reflects that creativity and that’s why this innkeeper, for one, gravitated to Asheville. We hope you’ll come join in the fun! You can book a room with us for the event here.
The Mardis Gras King from the Gypsy Krewe
The King and Queen of an earlier Mardis Gras Parade