ATHENS – Athens State University art professor Gail Bergeron and students from her Special Workshop in Sculpture class will hold a Mardi Gras parade in Athens at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. This 3rd annual parade will kick-off from in front of the Athens State’s Center for Lifelong Learning located at 121 S. Marion Street on the Limestone County Courthouse Square.
Three added attractions this year will be lighted head pieces, bead making, and the Athens Lions Club train provided by 
engineer Barry Moore. Tables will be set up at 5:30 for children and adults alike to string their own beads. The Athens State art student, nicknamed “Artheads,” will be throwing beads at the parade and will accept recycled beads from past Mardi Gras celebrations to add to the fun. Anyone who would like to donate Mardi Gras beads for the Athens event can leave them at the Center for Lifelong Learning prior to the parade.
The theme for this year’s parade is Steam Punk Circus and the Athens State revelers will be in costume with sculpted heads. Music for the marchers will be provided by Pam Hartman of Retrobics.
The parade is open to the public and marching and participating is encouraged.
“Last year’s event was well received and a lot of fun,” states Bergeron. “For a one-
block parade, we make the best of it and I really think that’s what makes it so special. We really appreciate the Lions Club for their participation by bringing the Kiddie Carnival train to the square.”
The parade route is to travel Marion Street back and forth between Washington and Market Streets in Athens – – just one block.
“As I have said in the past,” continued Bergeron, “this is the best, most fun, one-block Mardi Gras parade in the world.”
MEDIA RELEASE/ATHENS STATE UNIVERSITY/GUYMCCLURE
