Shoreline Village in Long Beach was forced to re-schedule it’s Mardi Gras event due to bad weather in February, but the fun has been rescheduled for this Saturday, March 18th adding a touch of green! The whole city is invited to attend the Shamrockin’ Mardi Gras celebration free of charge. Shoreline Village will be alive from 1-5 p.m. with music, beads, entertainment, and nonstop dancing. The family friendly event is suitable for children of all ages.
The re-scheduled parade will take place with Mayor Rex Richardson, and Andrea Sulsona, Executive Director for YMCA Early Childhood Education, serving as the King and Queen. Decorations will be sold, with all proceeds going to the YMCA Early Childhood program. According to Sulsona, the YMCA will use the funds to provide all of the children in their program with life-saving swim lessons as well as the opportunity to attend a weekend of nature at YMCA Camp Oakes family camp.
Shoreline Village Restaurants will be celebrating with the tastes of the season at this spring fling. Shenanigans Irish Pub & Grill has Reuben sandwiches, corned beef hash, and green beer all weekend. The Funnel House is serving up beignets and green whipped cream on Saturday, and Louisiana Charlie’s gumbo (also as nachos & fries), fried frog legs, fried alligator legs, creole jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, and crawfish hot box is sure to satisfy any cajun cravings.
The Louisiana Zydeco music starts at 1 p.m. Music will be provided by Zydeco Mudbugs from 1-5 p.m., and DJ music by DJ Del, DJ Rome and DJ Gerson. Beads, stilt walkers, face-painting, balloon twists, and more provide free fun for children until 4 p.m. The parade will stroll around Rainbow Harbor starting at 2:30 at the Nautilus Shell, and ending at Shoreline Village’s Off Boardwalk Stage, where the celebration continues. If you choose to march along in the parade, please sign-up at https://shorelinevillage.com/long-beach-mardi-gras-registration/ (no sign-up necessary to observe). Costumes are encouraged—carnival to leprechaun themed, take your pick. RSVP not required. Visit www.ShorelineVillage.com.
