Mardi Gras in Fresno (San Diego, San Jose: fit in, 2009, buy)

[Bluesbabe]

I have been curious about Fresno's Mardi Gras festivities for several years. Are there any members who have attended this before? What did you think of it? I'm sure it doesn't compare to the "real" New Orleans Mardi Gras, but is it worth trekking down from a neighboring state to attend?

[FresnoFacts]

There are a couple of Mardi Gras type events in Fresno. There is a Dixieland Jazz festival on Feb 5-8 and the Tower District's event on Feb 22nd.

The Tower event is a nice little party, I've had a good time in the past. This year it is Feb 22nd. You can see past year's pictures at the link at the bottom of this page:
Mardi Gras Renaissance!

But I don't think I would recommend going out of your way for it.

Now maybe if you were going to be here for a few days to do some other things it might be worth including.

For example on the Wed/Thurs before Fresno's Mardi Gras, the Tour of California Bike Race will be passing through the area.
Stages | Amgen Tour of California

The Rogue Performance Festival (independent performance art and music) starts the next week.
Rogue Festival » Rogue 2009

But unless you have friends around Fresno I don't think Mardi Gras is a big enough deal to visit by itself.

[Bluesbabe]

Originally Posted by FresnoFacts

There are a couple of Mardi Gras type events in Fresno. There is a Dixieland Jazz festival on Feb 5-8 and the Tower District's event on Feb 22nd.

The Tower event is a nice little party, I've had a good time in the past. This year it is Feb 22nd. You can see past year's pictures at the link at the bottom of this page:
Mardi Gras Renaissance!

But I don't think I would recommend going out of your way for it.

Now maybe if you were going to be here for a few days to do some other things it might be worth including.

For example on the Wed/Thurs before Fresno's Mardi Gras, the Tour of California Bike Race will be passing through the area.
Stages | Amgen Tour of California

The Rogue Performance Festival (independent performance art and music) starts the next week.
Rogue Festival » Rogue 2009

But unless you have friends around Fresno I don't think Mardi Gras is a big enough deal to visit by itself.

Cool. Thank you. I actually have family in the Dos Palos-Los Banos area, so someday I could go visit them and fit in the festival. That Rogue thing sounds interesting, too.

[ahzzie]

You guys have Mardi Gras parades in Cali??? Awesome! I had no idea.

[FresnoFacts]

Originally Posted by Bluesbabe

Cool. Thank you. I actually have family in the Dos Palos-Los Banos area, so someday I could go visit them and fit in the festival. That Rogue thing sounds interesting, too.

Rogue is a lot of fun. It spotlights independent and fringe performances, giving a chance for some new performers to build a following.

Here is a look at Rogue 2008, photos, videos and more.
Rogue 2008 : ROGUE 2008

[ferretkona]

When I lived in Carmel they were celebrating Mardi Gras in Monterey, Ca.

[momojojo]

The Mardi Gras celebration had to be tone down quite a bit due to some fights, unlawful activity. in fact, I believe the following year it was banned. The Tower District has some cool events and should be checked out.

[FresnoFacts]

Mardi Gras got out of hand in lots of places a few years ago.

San Luis Obispo had to completely shut it down there due to out of control crowds (some called it a riot), Seattle police had to move in there in 2000 or 2001, Austin had problems a few years ago, etc.

Unfortunately, too many "amateurs" don't understand how to have a good time with alcohol and beads.

[momojojo]

Originally Posted by FresnoFacts

Mardi Gras got out of hand in lots of places a few years ago.

San Luis Obispo had to completely shut it down there due to out of control crowds (some called it a riot), Seattle police had to move in there in 2000 or 2001, Austin had problems a few years ago, etc.

Unfortunately, too many "amateurs" don't understand how to have a good time with alcohol and beads.

True that.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by FresnoFacts

Mardi Gras got out of hand in lots of places a few years ago.

San Luis Obispo had to completely shut it down there due to out of control crowds (some called it a riot), Seattle police had to move in there in 2000 or 2001, Austin had problems a few years ago, etc.

Unfortunately, too many "amateurs" don't understand how to have a good time with alcohol and beads.

I heard San Jose had the same problems and they shut it down.

San Diego actually has a really good Mardi Gras celebration downtown in the Gaslamp Quarter that attracts around 30,000 people and has two parades. They've never had major problems with people getting out of control even though they allow people to drink alcohol in the streets for that event. They close off 19 blocks downtown and you have to be 21 and buy a $15/20 ticket to get in so I think that cuts down significantly on the few losers that would otherwise cause problems.

I think its really lame how a few amateurs can ruin a great event like MG. I didn't even see one fight at the REAL Mardi Gras in New Orleans on both my trips there in 04 and 08, which is pretty amazing considering the hundreds of thousands of people there and the fact that the bars never close and you can drink in public.