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From YubaNet.com Regional
Weekend fun includes a Masquerade Ball on Saturday night, the big Nevada City Mardi Gras Parade through the downtown historic district at 2 p.m. Sunday and the Mardi Gras Street Faire from 11-4 on Sunday. Nevada City's main drag, Broad Street, becomes a West Coast Bourbon Street as merry spectators fill the downtown historic district for the annual Mardi Gras parade. The Sunday afternoon Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) family parade features colorfully masked and costumed characters and societies as they ride, march, dance and strut through an appreciative crowd, handing out beads, trinkets, bangles and more. Everyone is encouraged to wear their own festive Mardi Gras attire. Featured guests include radio executive Bob Breck as grand marshal, Nevada City perennial volunteers Gerry and Denise Anderson as king and queen, and Ray and Linda Pulizzi of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club as duke and duchess. Parade announcers are retired radio personality Jim Kerr and former Nevada City mayor G. Patrick Dyer. This year's midwinter weekend celebration kicks off on Saturday night (Feb. 13) with the annual Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball in historic Miners Foundry at 325 Spring Street. The masquerade ball runs from 8 p.m. to midnight and features dancing to the live southern rock of the Holcomb Brothers Band as well as a Mardi Gras costume contest. An open bar and traditional Cajun food will be available. The menu includes Cajun sausage sandwiches, chicken and sausage gumbo, southern style cole slaw, red beans and rice and bread pudding. Masquerade ball tickets are only $10 in advance and (if available) $15 at the door. The event usually sells out so advance tickets are recommended. Contact the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce at 132 Main Street, call (530) 265-2692 or (800) 655-NJOY or see www.nevadacitychamber.com. Activities surrounding Sunday's free family parade include the Mardi Gras Street Faire from 11-4 with food, drink, craft and clothing vendors who will set up booths on North Pine and Commercial streets, with plenty of room for families with children and baby strollers. Nevada City is known for its classic small town spirit and lively community events. With a population of just 3,000, Nevada City swells to thousands more for the annual Mardi Gras celebration. Visitors should plan to arrive an hour early to find parking and get a good vantage point along the parade route. Nevada City is located on the scenic western slope of the Sierra, midway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. From Sacramento, take eastbound Interstate 80 to Auburn and Highway 49 north to Nevada City. From Marysville and the north valley, take eastbound State Route 20. From Reno, take westbound I-80 and westbound State Route 20. Major corporate sponsors for the 2010 Mardi Gras Celebration are The Union Newspaper, KNCO AM-83 News Talk Radio & Star 94 FM, The Boozefighters Motorcycle Club, Charter 6, Grass Valley; Waste Management, Nor Cal Beverage, Distributor of Budweiser & Bud Light; and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Brewer of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Sponsors include SPD Supermarkets of Grass Valley and Nevada City, Nevada City Winery, McGee's Annex of Nevada City; and Larry and Glady Birdsong. Underwriters include The National Hotel, Fur Traders, Bonanza Oriental Gifts, Northern Queen Inn, Best Western Gold Country Inn, Shaw's Antiques, Fashion Sunglasses, Auburn Printers, Emily's All Occasion Catering and Cakes, and The Nevada City Advocate Newspaper. For more information, contact the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce at (530) 265-2692 or (800) 655-NJOY or see www.nevadacitychamber.com. Nevada City Mardi Gras Weekend Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball Featuring the Holcomb Bros. Band Miners Foundry Saturday, Feb. 13, 8-midnight Tickets $10 advance/$15 at the door 265-2692 or www.nevadacitychamber.com Mardi Gras Parade Broad Street Sunday, Feb. 14, 2 p.m. Free Event for the Whole Family Mardi Gras Street Faire North Pine Street Sunday, Feb. 14, 11-4 Food, drink, craft vendors © Copyright YubaNet.com |
