Today is Fat Tuesday, which means it’s also Mardi Gras. It is a day for your glutinous habits to win over before the Lent season begins. While Georgetown is certainly no New Orleans, we still expect to see beads, masks, and lots of purple and green. D.C. is here to help you to celebrate the day with several Mardi Gras events.
- Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade: The parade starts at 8 p.m. and runs along Wilson Boulevard. It is the 15th consecutive year for this parade, which showcases more than 40 regional groups. It will be filled with music, floats, fire trucks, and best of all, 25 cases of Mardi Gras beads. Catch a necklace and you will have good luck for the year. Anyone can go, and it is free!
- Annual Bourbon Street Bash: If you’re looking for live music and authentic New Orleans cuisine, this is the event for you. It lasts from 4 p.m. until midnight, and is $5 at the door. Listen to some New Orleans musical favorites, and receive beads and masks at the door. The event is at Rumors (19th & M St. NW).
- Pancake Races: The National Cathedral is celebrating this final day before Lent with Mardi Gras pancake races following Tuesday’s noon Eucharist. All are welcome to come and compete on the west front grounds of the Cathedral. The grand prize will be the Golden Skillet.
- Ash Wednesday: Once your day of celebration is over, all Catholics can attend mass at Dahlgren Chapel on Wednesday. Mass times include 8 am, 12:10 pm, 5 pm, 7:30 pm, 9:30 pm, and 11 pm. Take an hour out of your day to honor the start of Lent.
