Celebrate Marshi Gras on the MarshWalk — February 13, 2018

Marshi Gras:

A taste of New Orleans comes to Murrells Inlet as Marshi Gras on the MarshWalk is celebrated.  The MarshWalk is located at 4025 US 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.  The Mardi Gras style celebration comes complete with a Marshi Gras Parade led by the Marshi Gras’ King and Queen to the sound of Murrells Inlet live music.

On Tuesday, February 13th, the 7^th Annual Marshi Gras Festival begins at 5:00 p.m. with the eight restaurants and bars (Bovines, The Claw House, Creek Ratz, Capt. Dave’s Dockside, Dead Dog Saloon, Drunken Jacks, Wahoo’s Fish House, Wicked Tuna) along the MarshWalk giving away Mardi Gras swag such as masks, beads, and other party favors.  They will also be featuring Louisiana-themed food and drink specials that are sure to be delicious.

The parade and costume contest registration are from 5:00 p.m. to 6:35 p.m.  Anyone can join the costume parade along the way, but one must be signed up to win one of the prizes.  There will be $1,000 worth of cash and prizes awarded to the best costumes, so be sure to register and wear your flashiest Mardi Gras attire and join in the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk entertainment.

The Marshi Gras Parade will leave from the Wicked Tuna at 7:00 p.m.   Costumed guests and a live traveling band will travel or dance its way down the MarshWalk (.5-mile wooden boardwalk along the saltwater estuary) to Bovines.

The winners of the costume contest will be announced at the Wicked Tuna at 8:30 p.m. (subject to change) Based on last year’s breakdown, the awards will be as follows:

Costume Contest Prizes:

• 1st Place: $500 and (2) $50 gift cards
• 2nd Place: $300 and (2) $50 gift cards
• 3rd Place: $200 and (2) $50 gift cards

Whether you want to dress up in costume, join the parade, register to win a prize or just join in the Marshi Gras festivities, you are sure to have fun on the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk.  Make sure to put this event on your calendar and celebrate Marshi Gras while enjoying the Murrells Inlet nightlife.

History of Mardi Gras:

In case you are curious about where or when this custom started, no one really knows, but it has been traced back to the Romans.  Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” and is celebrated on a Tuesday which can fall anywhere between February 3^rd and March 9^th, because it is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.  It depends on when the Catholic Church determines the date of Easter to be, using the lunar calendar.  Mardi Gras actually marks the end of celebrations instead of the beginning.

In 1872, the King of Carnival chose the official Mardi Gras colors—purple, green and gold.  Purple stands for “justice”, green represents “faith”, and gold stands for “power”.  During Mardi Gras, it is also a tradition to bake an oval “King Cake” in honor of the Three Kings with a baby baked into the cake to represent Jesus.  The oval shape symbolizes the unity of faiths.

King parties are held in homes, offices, and classrooms throughout the season.  When the King Cake is sliced, the person that gets the slice with the baby will be rewarded with good luck.  It is also customary for this person to bring the King Cake to the next party or event.

There are sure to be King Cakes at the Marshi Gras on February 13, 2018, so make sure you put the Marshi Gras on your Murrells Inlet things to do list, and maybe you will be the lucky person to get the slice of King Cake with the baby in it.  Good luck and enjoy the Marshi Gras on the MarshWalk!