Two-day Mardi Gras twice the fun

To view lots more photos from the Mardi Gras, click HERE

Habitat for Humanity revived Apalachicola’s Mardi Gras parade in fine fashion on Friday, and topped it off with a fabulous soiree Saturday night at the Armory.

In doing so, the ninth annual Mardi Gras festivities brought in more than $13,000, said Pam Ashley, chair of the county Habitat chapter, which is about to embark on a new house in Eastpoint, the fifth home it has built in the county.

Don Ashley, chair of the fundraising committee, said he expected the weekend to net more than the $6,000 brought in last year.

“It’s building,” he said. “We’re happy; I think it went real well. We got a lot of good feedback.”

An exuberant golf cart parade Friday afternoon, complete with a bevy of beloved canines, wound from the Bowery to the courthouse and back to Riverfront Park, for a dinner and concert by Brian Bowen, and Orlando’s Beth McKee Band. The trumpet sounds of Don Fortner and his band Aura wafted from the balcony of the Owl Café.

Led by King Rex and Princess Pearl, St. George Island’s Mason and Marilyn Bean, the parade came about thanks to a wealth of volunteers, including a pet Krewe brought together by Caroline Ilardi, and golf carts from Gary and Lisa Hooker from Ah la Cart, the Water Street Hotel and St James Bay Golf Club.

Faye Johnson from Project Impact helped bring a bevy of young people to lend excitement, while Caty Greene and members of Habitat board helped bring the event to life.

Winning for the best theme-related float was Harriet Beach’s “Yellow Crested Pooper Scooper with Chicks” a cart of pups pretending to be parakeets.

Winning for the best theme-related dog was “Queen Lizzie,” escorted by owner Kady Selden. The judge’s choice went to “Sir Elton George and Joan Nevitt, with Lucy.

Cited for best decorated carts were the vehicles decorated by Marisa Getter and friends, and Clarice Powell and her admirers.

Concertgoers enjoyed seafood gumbo made by Jeff Ilardi and chicken gumbo created by Fran Edwards, while Lane Gerking baked up scrumptious cupcakes to help with the fundraiser.

On Saturday night, about 160 people filled an elegantly decorated Armory; complete with curtains on loan from the Tallahassee Civic Center, to enjoy the food provided by Tamara’s Café, and the jazzy sounds of the Beth McKee Band.

David Butler once again served as the emcee while Wayne Thomas and Mark Rodgers handled lighting and sound for the two concerts.

Pam Nobles brought out her Hot Flashes to bring the party alive, and Smokey Parrish sang. It was truly a Mardi Gras for the record books.