Fire up the night for Mardi Gras by parading with a purpose in Downtown Athens February 25

by Holly Hollman
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ATHENS-Athens Arts League is looking to fire up the night and host a parade for a good cause to put a North Alabama spin on Mardi Gras.

 

The League is partnering with Athens State University, LCCI Food Bank and other groups to host the annual Athens Mardi Gras Parade With A Purpose on February 25 in Downtown Athens.

 

Groups are decorating buggies, or shopping carts, from Lowe’s for the Athens version of a Mardi Gras float. This year’s theme is Fire Up The Night. Groups such as the Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter and Girl Scouts will decorate their “floats” with lights and images relating to light and fire.

 

Spectators are asked to bring canned food for LCCI Food Bank to place in the buggy floats as the parade marches back and forth from High Cotton Arts on Washington Street and past the Courthouse on Marion Street.

 

“Last year the community helped us donate about 400 cans to LCCI Food Bank,” said Athens Arts League Board President Jennifer Hilton Sampieri.

 

Festivities will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with crown and mask making and umbrella and wagon decorating at High Cotton Arts at 105 W. Washington St. Athens Arts League will provide masks and crowns for children to decorate to wear for the festivities. Children and adults wanting to participate in the parade can bring their own umbrellas and wagons at 5:30, and the League will provide decorations.

 

Other activities include:

 

  • Stringing beads at the Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning at 5:30 p.m.

 

  • Athens Fire and Rescue will bring a fire truck for children to see.

 

  • Athens High and East Limestone jazz bands will perform starting around 6:15 p.m. and during the parade. Athens will be in front of the Center for Lifelong Learning, and East will be in front of High Cotton.

 

  • Red beans and rice at Square Clock until 6 p.m. and for the festivities, a taco vendor and Girl Scout cookie sales.

 

  • Mardi Gras lights at the Limestone County Courthouse.

 

Follow “Athens Mardi Gras Parade with a Purpose” event page on Facebook for more information.

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