Mardi Gras rolling into Destin (with EVENT LISTINGS)

Destin doesn’t have Bourbon Street, but HarborWalk Village is gearing up to be Mardi Gras party central through Fat Tuesday.

It should be an easy recipe for Mardi Gras fun, since the spread already has iconic New Orleans fixtures like Pat O’Brien’s, Commander’s Palace and Jester Mardi Gras Daiquiris and Pizza.

Donte Doussan, general manager at Jester, said many New Orleanians skip out on the annual holiday and come down to Destin to avoid the traffic and the crowds.

Attendees at HarborWalk’s version of Fat Tuesday will find a “milder version — more laid back.” Still, he is gearing up for the big day and, in addition to his full stock of flavored daiquiris, he will have a beer booth outside and a shot girl for those wanting something a little harder.

“We are actually all Mardi Gras, all the time,” he said. “ We have three locations on Bourbon Street,  so we are definitely used to Mardi Gras, but this is our first one in Florida.”

The festive weekend will kick off on Friday.

The HarborWalk Village Sidewalk Sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and continue through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The retail event boasts super discounts at their “eclectic and expansive array” of stores.

On Saturday, the highlight is the Mardi Gras Parade that will roll at 3 p.m. and wind through the Village with brilliant floats, colorful costumes and street performers that will shower parade-goers with beads. The kids in attendance will get to make their very own Mardi Gras clowns.

Float entries that roll, float, pedal, and push cost $10, with proceeds going to Destin Rotary Education Foundation. HarborWalk Village is attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Record for the most golf carts in a Mardi Gras parade.

Floats will line up in the parking lot adjacent to Destin Yacht Club/Legendary Marine and make their way down the harbor and through the crowds at the Village. A post-parade party and award celebration will be in the courtyard of Pat O’Brien’s

Saturday night’s soiree will be hard to outshine for those 21 and older. The Masquerade Ball will be in the Emerald Grande Ballroom at 7 p.m. Outrageous costumes or formal attire and a mask are suggested to get the most out of the celebration with classic Mardi Gras décor, heavy hors d’ oeurves and live entertainment by Joe Ochipinti Jazz Band.

Tickets are $49 per person or $99 for a couple, with a portion of the proceeds going to Condos for Kids, a non-profit that provides a vacation to the families of children with life-threatening illnesses. For tickets or more information, call 1-800-676-0091 or visit www.harborwalkdestin.com. One lucky winner will get a seven night getaway to the French Quarter in New Orleans.

If you’d rather save the excitement for your taste buds, then Sunday will be more family friendly with a Jambalaya Cook-off and Pet Costume Contest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Terry and the Zydeco Bad Boys will play live and restaurants along the harbor will be serving up their best gumbo, with proceeds benefiting Destin Harvest. Bring pets dressed in their Mardi Gras best to be judged at 11:30 a.m. Food tasting will be $10 per person.

This week, we might need to move the “day of rest” to Monday.

The grand finale for the Mardi Gras Bash on the Harbor will be on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 24. The event will be a street party, with free red beans and rice, free beer by Budweiser and music by the Dent Brothers from 6 to 10 p.m.

Peter Bos, CEO of Legendary, said the massive celebration is all part of “bringing excitement back to the harbor.”

“Louisiana a major part of the clientele base of Destin and they have an affinity to Destin,” he said. “What we are doing is piggy backing on that enthusiasm for a four day event that will become a first annual.”

Local Mardi Gras events (updated)

•SANTA ROSA BEACH - Everyone is invited Friday to the Santa Rosa Beach Club Mardi Gras Party. Laissez faire dinner and entertainment by Dikki Du and The Zydeco Krewe 7 - 11 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. To make reservations, call 267-2305.

•SEASIDE - The Merchants of Seaside host a fun-filled day of Mardi Gras revelry with activities for everyone 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. 4KIDS hosts a make-your-own mask event and other fun Mardi Gras crafts for children with help from Abrakadoodle. The Third Annual 4KIDS Mardi Gras Parade, featuring the Krewe of Wee-De-Leis, is at 2 p.m. around Central Square. After the parade, Seaside Amphitheater hosts the first Zydeco Fais Do-Do 2:30-5 p.m. The Seaside Neighborhood School band kicks off the dance party at 2:30 p.m. and then Lil' Malcolm and the House Rockers hit the stage at 3 p.m. Visit seasidefl.com.

•DESTIN - The first Mardi Gras Parade on the Harbor will let the good times roll at 3 p.m. Saturday beginning at the parade parking lot adjacent to Destin Yacht Club/Legendary Marine and making its way down the harbor. The finale is a post-parade party and award celebration in the courtyard of New Orleans party icon, Pat O'Brien's. HarborWalk Village welcomes individuals, civic organizations, community groups and Mardi Gras Krewes to participate in the parade. Entries will be judged for awards. Entry is $10 per entry with proceeds going to the Destin Rotary Education Foundation. For an entry form, visit harborwalkdestin.com or call Heather Culbertson at 974-6266.

•SANDESTIN — Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the premier resort on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is planning a pet-acular weekend full of fun for four legged friends and people of all ages on Feb. 20-22. The Village of Baytowne Woof Weekend events include: The Ultimate Air Dog Competition, featuring a night jump competition on Friday, trials on Saturday and finals on Sunday at the Village Lagoon. The Pooch Festival on Saturday, noon – 4 p.m. featuring merchandise, services and activities. The nationally acclaimed Mardi Pawx Pooch Parade, a Mardi Gras Parade for Pets on Sunday at 2 p.m., filling the Village streets with costumed animals of all kinds.  Visit www.kreweofarfeous.com for more information.

•DESTIN - The Celebrity Masquerade Ball at HarborWalk will be at 7 p.m. Saturday featuring live entertainment, heavy hors d'oeuvres and festive Mardi Gras décor. Formal attire optional and mask suggested. Tickets are $49 per person. Ages 21 and older welcome. Emerald Grande Ballroom, 10 Harbor Blvd. Call 337-8100.

•PENSACOLA - The Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Celebration is issuing a call for all types of vendors for all areas of downtown for the big event Saturday. The Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade will wind its way along the traditional parade route through historic downtown where festivities will begin in the morning and the parade rolls at 2 p.m. Vendors include but are not limited to entertainment, face painting, magicians, food, and music. All vendors have to be permitted by PMGI. Visit pensacolamardigras.com or call 436-7638.

•DESTIN - Dress your pets in their snazziest Mardi Gras costumes and enjoy jambalaya from restaurants on the harbor. The Jambalaya Cook-off and Pet Costume Contest on HarborWalk is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds benefit Destin Harvest House. Visit harborwalkdestin.com.

•DESTIN - Join the Mardi Gras Bash on the Harbor on 6-10 p.m. Feb. 24 including free red beans and rice, live entertainment at this street party celebration. Visit harborwalkdestin.com online.