- Mardi Gras celebration kicks off Lent.
- Tossing of trinkets pleases young and old.
- The community showed its support with hundreds of patrons, and local businesses parading the streets.
- The event included: The parade, car show, swing band, and rounded out with after party celebrations of BBQ at 4C’s Restaurant.
- All proceeds Krewe De Yak Mardi Gras Festival support the community.
On a sunny and crisp Saturday, January 28th, Krewe De Yak kicked off its 10th annual Mardi Gras Festival in Defuniak Springs, FL. This local organization is self-funded by its members and considered the “Greatest Free Show on Earth!”
Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” was a tradition begun in Medieval Europe passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th Centuries onto the French House of the Bourbons and passed through its colonies. Thereby established in New Orleans during the 1800’s before the Lent season.
Saturday, January 28th, was a chilly and sunny day for Krewe De Yak’s kick off of its 10th annual Mardi Gras Festival prior to the actual celebration date of February 21st.
The tossing of trinkets to the crowds began in the early 1870s in New Orleans by the Twelfth Night Revelers and is now a time-honored expectation for young and old especially if you wear the colors of purple, green and gold!
In 1892, the first King Rex of the Carnival selected the Mardi Gras colors and assigned meaning where Purple stands for Justice, Green for faith and Gold for power.
The Defuniak Springs community showed its support with hundreds of patrons, costumed enthusiasts, city mayor, city fire trucks, pets, vintage vehicles, and local businesses parading the streets of Circle Drive adjacent to Lake Defuniak.
The event included: The parade, car show, swing band, and rounded out with after party celebrations of BBQ at 4C’s Restaurant.
All the proceeds from the Krewe De Yak Mardi Gras Festival circles back to the community. A fun time for all!
