WASHINGTON – Mardi Gras celebrations filled Wharf Street Saturday as attendees packed the street with food, laughter, music and dancing.
The celebration kicked off with an hour-long parade down Wharf Street. Over 40 organizations participated in the parade, including community partners like the Eastern High School Marching Band and Command Force of the Washington Commanders.
Golf carts embellished in purple, green and gold, the Mardi Gras king and queen and jugglers were just a few of the parade’s highlights. The New Orleans spirit could be felt in Washington as crowds cheered and reached for the beads, toys and candy that were tossed their way.
The parade was followed by live music by local bands at different outdoor stages along Wharf Street. Families and friends came together to enjoy food and drinks while dancing to the music. The celebrations came to a close with fireworks that decorated the sky.
Mardi Gras flags lined Wharf Street as Batalá Washington, an all-women Afro-Brazilian music band, announced the start of the parade with the sound of drums. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
Addie, Asia and Jodie showed their Mardi Gras spirit from head to toe. Jodie is from New Orleans, and Addie and Asia are Washington residents. “It’s a big deal, bring the party home,” Asia said. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
Rachelle, Kathleen, Margie, Jennifer, Lynn and Melissa are long-time friends and residents of D.C. and Virginia. Kathleen has been to every single one of the eight Mardi Gras celebrations at The Wharf. “We love it. It gets us out of the house,” Rachelle said. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
Beads and candies weren’t the only things being tossed to the audience. Children and adults alike reached for the bubbles flowing out of the bubble machines while some took photos. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
The Wharf invited local businesses to decorate golf carts as an alternative to the floats traditionally used in New Orleans. The family friendly event had several young participants, some even playing a role in the parade and tossing beaded necklaces to attendees. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
Some attendees chose to enjoy the parade with an aerial view from restaurant balconies and rooftops. Parade participants made sure everyone was included in the celebration, as they tossed beads as high as they could to reach the attendees watching from above. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
Humans weren’t the only ones celebrating Mardi Gras at The Wharf. Local residents “Percy and his human servants” also joined the celebrations in colorful Mardi Gras costumes. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
Performers, jugglers and stilt walkers filled the parade with entertainment and excitement. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
Bella, Manny and Prince are from New Orleans. They came to Washington for their catering business, Mardi Gras Munchies (@mardigrasmunchies on Instagram). They are “an authentic Cajun Creole New Orleans cuisine” with pop-ups every week. Their son, Prince, is six months old. This was his first Mardi Gras. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
Attendees lined up to take photos with Mardi Gras performers at a photo station set up near the outdoor stages. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
Attendees gathered around outdoor stages along Wharf Street after the parade to listen and dance to live music performed by local bands. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
The Experience Band & Show was one of the local bands that performed live music at The Wharf. They performed on the Transit Pier Floating Stage. (Jiah Choe/MNS)
