It’s Mardi Gras time, so it’s time to get your party on! One of the most popular celebrations, it features excellent food and fabulous costumes. Classic foods include King’s cake, shrimp creole, or Jambalaya. Get ready to eat through Mardi Gras and break out your best outfit because it’s a great time for families to spend time together. Portland knows how to celebrate in style, so you’ll want to check out everything the city has to offer.
Of course, this has to be the first one we mention. It’s the most well-known, and everyone loves to come and have fun. People dress up and dance as they toss decorated gifts to the crowd. Most of the restaurants along the route will offer themed food and drinks. The parade is on March 4th. It will start at 7 p.m.; everyone is invited to dress up. The parade will begin on North Mississippi Ave and march through North Skidmore to North Fremont.
You’ll see marching bands and live entertainment. There are also jugglers, light shows, and dancers. If the weather permits, you’ll also have the chance to see flame twirlers. Another great idea? Take your kids to the Luke’s Frame Shop costume pageant before the parade!
Other entertainers that you’ll see include:
- NW Bones Gang
- The Beat Goes On
- River City Riot
- New Second Line Band
- The Parasols
- Cascade Zydeco
- Olive and the Tall Bikes
- Kangoo Club Portland Annie
If you love to skate, take your children to the theme park for their Mardi Gras skate day! One thing to note is that it starts at the same time as the parade. So you’ll have to choose one or the other. If you attempt to do both, you’ll miss a good portion of the parade, depending on how long you want to skate.
Tickets are $13.00 each, and it’s a great way to spend a low-key night with the family while celebrating Mardi Gras. There will also likely be fewer crowds because most people will try to get to the parade early. Skating is always fun, but the lights, music, and experience make this a great event to choose from. Not only that, but the park has excellent food.
This one is mostly for pets, but engaging your children and pets in the celebration’s spirit is fun. The event is on March 1st, and there will be sales on pet food, supplies, treats, and more. There will also be giveaways, prizes, and special guests.
The event is a great way to shop local, and you get to dress your pets in your favorite gear and have them strut their stuff. Come down and see if you can win a surprise for your furry best friends!
The best part? It takes place days before the parade, so you don’t have to choose between them. You can do both. Have a great time.
While this one is in St. Helens, it deserves a spot on this list because of the fun and benefits of the event. A little over a half hour from Portland, the event is to benefit rescue animals. There will be an auction, live band, and fun contests.
Your ticket will buy you a themed dinner, a free drink ticket, dessert, and a raffle ticket. It’s a kid-friendly event with food to match for younger ones. There are adult wine and beer options, but they ask that you drink responsibly and not drive if you’ve been drinking.
You can also dance or enter one of the many contests while learning about all the rescue animals you’re helping that evening. It’s a great way to give back and rock your Mardi Gras duds with your family. Not to mention, one of the contests is the best-dressed table. Go all out, and you might win it!
Have Fun and Be Safe!
With the events on this list, you won’t have trouble having a great night out with your little ones. Music, dancing, and great fun await. So what are you waiting for? Choose the event that sounds like it’s got what you need, kick up your heels, and show off your look!
If you have a child who is sensitive to noise, I recommend bringing noise-canceling headphones to make them more comfortable. There will also be a lot of lights and other issues that can be overwhelming. Remember, there will be crowds, lots of people, and noise, so be careful while having fun!
Jenifer Dale is a writer that has a passion for reading and helping others. When she is not writing, she loves cooking, crocheting, and spending time with her family.