Long Beach Mardi Gras February 20, 2010

Mardi Gras is celebrated all over the world, but the best place for Mardi Gras in Southern California is downtown Long Beach! With music, dancing, food and drinks direct from New Orleans, a full day of entertainment, a parade and a Mardi Gras concert, it is the closest thing to celebrating in the Big Easy!

A New Orleans legend, The METERS Experience featuring Leo Nocentelli, guitarist and founding member of the legendary Meters headlines the "Mardi Gras Funky Fete", a Mardi Gras concert and party on beautiful Rainbow Harbor. Long Beach funk band Delta Nove shares the stage, and Second Line and Samba dance performances will keep the crowd grooving. A costume contest will crown the King and Queen of the 2010 Long Beach Mardi Gras. A menu of Louisiana inspired food, Hurricanes and Abita Beer will give everyone a taste of New orleans. Tickets for the concert are limited, so hurry and order online for $15 at www.lbmardigras.com.

Bring the whole family early for FREE family-friendly entertainment and activities throughout Rainbow Harbor at the Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village and the Pike, including jazz, blues, dancing, mask and bead making, face painting, stilt walker and balloon artists.

The inaugural Long Beach Mardi Gras PARADE will roll around Rainbow Harbor at 3 pm, with zany entries, costumes, themes, masks and a chance to catch lots of beads along the route.

Official Website: http://www.lbmardigras.com