Get ready to grab those beads as the 17th annual Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp kicks off Fat Tuesday (March 8th) from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight. As the biggest Mardi Gras celebration West of the Mississippi, the Gaslamp is pulling out all the stops this year. There will be three areas featuring fairies, urban house and electronic, street performers, glow dancers and one crazy parade where beads will be flying.
Fifth Avenue is where you’ll find the action from E to L Street. From E Street to Market, revelers will find Fairyland, a magical place where sexy Go-Go dancers dressed as fairies and the hottest girl DJ’s take over. Watch out for the artistic fairies on stilts and giant pixie puppets.
After you’ve been covered in pixie dust, check out the action between Market to J Street and watch as dancers show you how it’s done. Freestyle, krumping, hip-hop and break dancing; you’ll see it all there. San Diego’s own Kruciaal Element will be on hand to battle it out in the house area.
See yourself in a whole new light as ‘Technovale’ takes over between J and K Street with progressive techno DJs and dancers on individual illuminated platforms in the ‘glow’zone. Dancers, dressed all in white, will be incandescent thanks to black light spotlighting. Be sure to check out the DJ platform sitting 15 feet above the crowd. Below, dancers will defy gravity and leave you speechless.
All the celebrating will converge at 9:30 p.m. as dozens of floats drive down 5th Avenue pouring beads into the street. The main gates are located at 5th and Broadway and 6th Avenue and K Street. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event.