Moscow will get its annual taste of the historic New Orleans tradition of Mardi Gras Saturday.
The Moscow Mardi Gras is a non-profit organization that benefits youth organizations in the Moscow-Pullman communities. The celebration for youth and adults takes to the streets the first Saturday in March.
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Moscow Mardi Gras King Jesse Stone (John”s Alley) and Queen Angie Temple (The Garden Lounge) wave to the crowd during last year”s celebration.
“It”s a total family-friendly activity,” said Genevieve Bode, Moscow Mardi Gras president. “There”s going to be lots to do.”
The activities begin at 1 p.m. Saturday. The event is headquartered at the Moscow Moose Lodge, but businesses throughout Moscow partake in the festivities. Bode said there will be dance and music performances, games and a scavenger hunt.
The event will conclude with the annual parade at 4 p.m. on Main Street.
“It all really comes down to the kids,” Bode said. “That”s why we have really tried to extend the daytime.”
At 9 p.m., the event will turn to adults-only entertainment. Five locations will host musical acts: local bands Mojo Green will play at John”s Alley, the Flying Mammals at the Garden Lounge, Bare Wires at the Eagles Lodge and the Intentions at One World Café. The Intentions performance is open to those under 21 years.
“The highlight for the nighttime is of course the bands,” Bode said.
Although the day”s events may seem like a party, the benefits run much deeper.
“All the money does go back into the community through the youth grant program,” Bode said.
Bode said local youth organizations submit grant applications and the Mardi Gras board reviews and selects applications after the event is completed.
“People forget that it”s not just a pub crawl,” said Kathy Sprague, co-owner of Safari Pearl and former Moscow Mardi Gras president. “It raises thousands of dollars for kids in this community and that really is the focus.”
For Sprague, the highlight of the event is the children”s enjoyment.
“They think they”ve gone to Disneyland some years,” Sprague said.
Sprague said she first became involved with Moscow Mardi Gras when she was a college student. When Sprague got older and became a business owner, she said it was a no-brainer to get involved and stay involved with Moscow Mardi Gras.
She said one year, the local Special Olympics received a grant for two new busses to transport participants. The busses were air-conditioned, and were able to safely transport children who were prone to heat-induced seizures.
“The thank you letter we received had me in tears,” Sprague said. “That took a weight off a lot of people.”
Advance tickets can be purchased for $15 until 5 p.m. Friday at Kenney Bros, Safari Pearl, Zeppos, Residence Inn and the performance venues. Tickets will be $20 at the door. Tickets are good for more than one venue.
Katelyn Hilsenbeck can be reach at [email protected] or on Twitter @Katelyn_mh