Burlington, Vt. -  On February 27, 2010, at 3pm, the Mardi Gras celebration in Burlington, Vermont, will keep rolling with the Grand Parade winding its way through downtown Burlington!  Line up early to get your prime viewing spot so you can see the regalia and catch the beads, moonpies and Lake Champlain chocolates as they fly from the floats!

Families with children under 7 years are welcome to catch the parade from the Little Jambalaya Viewing Zone, right in front of the FedEx/Kinko’s and the courthouse on the corner of Main St. and South Winooski.

There are many other great activities and music while waiting for the parade to begin on the Church Street Marketplace:

12pm-1pm: Gypsy-Swing Band Caravan of Thieves plays on the top block of Church St.

12pm: Registration for the King & Queen of Mardi Gras Costume Contest begins outside City Hall on the lower block of Church St. Winners get $500 EACH and will help lead off the Grand Parade with Alan Newman and Mayor Bob Kiss.

12pm-5pm: Magic Hat Mardi gras Headquarters open at the former Maplehurst Florist space on Church St for all your bead, mask and Mardi Gras needs. 

12pm-2:30pm: Concert poster artist Jim Pollock signs handmade Mardi Gras prints to benefit WRCC at the former Maplehurst Florist space on Church St.

12:30-1:30pm: Sambatucada warms up the crowd with their unique Afro-Brazillian beats in front of City Hall

1:30pm: The Mardi Gras Costume Contest concludes as Alan Newman crowns the King & Queen and hands over $500 to EACH of the winners in front of City Hall

2pm-2:30pm: Gypsy-Swing Band Caravan of Thieves plays on the top block of Church St.

2pm-2:30pm: Warms up with the crowd to the  unique Afro-Brazillian sound of Sambatucada in front of City Hall.

3pm: The Grand Parade  heads through downtown Burlington!

After the Parade: The Mardi Gras Parade Post-Party begins as soon as the last float has been filed away. Hit the purveyors of potables and foodstuffs around the Marketplace and fill up on New Orleans cuisine, Magic Hat beer and friendly folly with folks from all over the world.

For more information: http://www.magichat.net/mardigras2010/parade

-Vermont Daily News and Magic Hat information