ATHENS-Athens is the kind of community that embraces being quirky and helping others.
That’s why shopping buggies decorated as Mardi Gras floats is a popular way to join in on the Mobile-born celebration synonymous with beads, Moon Pies, masks and parades. Athens Arts League will host its annual quirky Mardi Gras Parade with a purpose and a celebration on Feb. 13 in Downtown Athens.
Gail Bergeron marching in the 2023 parade
Athens Arts League Board member and retired Athens State art professor Gail Bergeron organized the first parade in 2013 with her Athens State University art students known as the Art Heads. Bergeron loved the community’s interest, and partnered her students with Athens Arts League for future parades. Instead of ornate floats, organizers opted to borrow buggies from Lowe’s and encourage krewes to decorate them and collect canned goods for the LCCI Food Bank. A unique spin on celebrating Mardi Gras was adopted.
“We may be the smallest Mardi Gras Parade in the state, but we’ve got the biggest heart,” Athens Arts League Board President Holly Hollman said.
Parade participants and spectators are encouraged to donate canned goods at High Cotton Art at 103 W. Washington Street now through parade night. Each year the celebration collects hundreds of canned goods for the LCCI Food Bank.
Elkmont’s band members in the 2023 parade
“I love Gail’s enthusiasm and her big heart,” Mayor Ronnie Marks said. “Gail and her volunteers found a way to have fun and to make a difference at the same time.”
Elaborate buggy decorations over the years have included a pig, a shrimp boil pot and a chariot of fire.
“This year’s theme is Let There Be Light, which opens up a bounty of possibilities for decorators,” Bergeron said.
Krewes (local organizations, friends, families) who want to reserve a buggy and get information about dimensions and requirements can call High Cotton Arts at 256-262-9022. Cost is $30. Lowe’s and Hometown are providing the buggies.
In addition to the parade, there will be other festivities. To coincide with the Let There Be Light theme, Athens Fire and Rescue, Athens Electric Department, Athens Police Department and Limestone County Sheriff’s Department will have vehicles on display with lights flashing. The Limestone County Courthouse will illuminate the night with Mardi Gras color lights.
Athens Arts League board members and volunteers with the canned goods donated in 2023. From left, Jennifer Hilton Sampieri, Diane Lehr, Sabrina Adams, Garth Lovvorn Jr., Vickie Camp and Gail Bergeron.
There will be live music starting at 4:45 p.m. on Marion Street at the Courthouse steps. Tubano Thunder, a drum circle collaboration between Athens Arts League and the Boys and Girls Club, will perform followed by the Athens State University Community Choir.
Spectators can dine with the local restaurants on The Square and with the following food trucks:
⦁ Taste of Maine
⦁ Happy Pappy
⦁ Rocket City Poppers
High Cotton Arts will offer mask making for children starting at 5 p.m. This is a free art activity. Spectators can also stop by High Cotton Arts for free Publix bags they can use to collect beads during the parade.
The Athens Lions Club Train will provide rides to children around The Square prior to the parade and will lead the parade.
The parade lineup and judging of floats will start at 6 p.m. in front of High Cotton Arts. The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. The route will be west on Washington Street, north on Marion Street, west on Market Street, south on Jefferson Street and east on Washington Street.
A child making a Mardi Gras mask at High Cotton Arts
In addition to the buggy floats, the second line will include Bryan Pigg and members of the Elkmont High School Marching Band and Davin Kyle and members of the West Limestone High School Marching Band.
Reserving and Decorating a Buggy
⦁ To reserve a buggy, call 256-262-9022 or register online at: https://www.athensartsleague.com/new-page
⦁ Buggies will be decorated on site at High Cotton Arts.
⦁ Decoration times are Friday from 12-4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday from 1-4 p.m. and Monday from 1-4 p.m.
