HAWAIIAN STYLE MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION
Queens’ MarketPlace “Lets the Good Times Roll” Saturday, Feb. 21

Queens’ MarketPlace brings the colorful customs of Mardi Gras to Waikoloa Beach Resort Saturday, Feb. 21, from 3:00 to 8:30 p.m.

“Mardi Gras is celebrated all over the world,” says Debbie Parmley, Vice President of Commercial Real Estate. “We wanted to add that special touch of Hawaii, with floats small enough to go through the shopping center featuring Ms. Aloha Nui 2008, Falsetto Winner 2008 and the Queens’ MarketPlace May Day Queen 2008. If you want to have some fun and meet new people, and not only have beads thrown your way, but a lei or two, please join us at Queens’ MarketPlace, The Gathering Place of the Kohala Coast.”

America’s Mardi Gras originated with French Creole colonists in 18th century Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Intended as a final day of decadence before the austere season of Lent, party-goers indulged in fattening foods, drink and dancing.

Today’s famous New Orleans parade hosts over a million attendees as hundreds of floats, bands and fantastically costumed marching units or “Krewes” strut their stuff, tossing millions of doubloon coins and strings of beads to spirited onlookers.

“Mardi Gras has a reputation as an ‘adult’ event,” said Parmley. “But at Queens’ MarketPlace it’s all about the family. We have a keiki costume contest at 3:00 pm, followed by the tricycle and wagon decorating contest at 3:30 pm and baby stroller decorating contests at 4:00 pm. Then at 5:30 pm, all the entries will march in the parade through the shopping center. It’s going to be a very special, Big Island style Mardi Gras celebration.”

Activities begin at 3:00 with a hula performance at the Coronation Pavilion, while the Costume and Decorating Contests take place. The parade begins at 5:30 pm in front of The Studio and will take place within the Queens’ MarketPlace. Music from the Good Time Jazz Band begins at 6:30 pm with tasting of Louisiana Seafood Gumbo prepared by Romano’s Macaroni Grill and malasadas made fresh on site by Tex Drive In. Call Queens’ MarketPlace office at 886-8822 for more details.

Schedule of events