What do New Orleans and New England have in common? Well... they both start with "New" and have the same number of letters. Oh, and they both have fabulous Mardi Gras celebrations! Granted, New England can't truly hold a candle to New Orleans when it comes to Mardi Gras revelry and debauchery. (This may have something to do with the fact that it's still incredibly cold in New England in February.) That said, if you find yourself up north as Fat Tuesday approaches, there are plenty of places where you can feast on Cajun delights, snag some beads, sip intoxicating beverages and celebrate a memorable Mardi Gras.
1. Magic Hat Mardi Gras
February 27-March 1, 2009, Burlington, Vermont. Magic Hat Mardi Gras rolls into Burlington, Vermont, for the fourteenth year, promising to transform the city's chilly streets into a lively scene for three fun-filled days. Music, parades, sweets, beads and beer are all integral to this New England-style Mardi Gras celebration, which is geared for all ages. Don't miss the Grand Parade on Saturday at 3 p.m. Proceeds from bead sales benefit the Women's Rape Crisis Center of Burlington.2. Ogunquit's Mardi Gras 2009!
February 20-22, 2009, Ogunquit, Maine. Maine's rocky coast doesn't exactly resemble the New Orleans bayou, but that doesn't stop Mainers from making merry come Mardi Gras season. Ogunquit's weekend-long celebration features a trivia contest to determine the king and queen, a hat party, ice sculptures, a parade, entertainment, special Mardi Gras menus at participating restaurants and more. 207-646-2939.3. Fat Tuesday Celebration at Black-eyed Sally's
February 24, 2009, Black-eyed Sally's BBQ & Blues, 350 Asylum Street, Hartford, Connecticut.If you're looking for a place to party all day on Fat Tuesday, then head for Hartford. Black-eyed Sally's serves up an all-you-can eat southern lunch buffet for $12 per person. There'll be happy hour specials including Hurricanes, Abita beer and free vittles. Dinner features N'awlins menu specials and music by River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs. Plus, there'll be beads, balloons, costumes, stilt walkers and more. 860-278-7427.4. Mardi Gras Ball XVI
Media photo © Winslow Martin.
February 20, 2009, T.T. the Bear's, 10 Brookline Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts.The annual Mardi Gras Ball is a rockin' Boston tradition. Purchase tickets online for this musical revue featuring Shaun Wolf Wortis and Suzi Lee fronting an all-star band playing New Orleans rhythm and blues. Proceeds benefit the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic, which provides medical care to musicians in the Crescent City.
