Family-friendly Mardi Gras event starts at 5:45 p.m. Saturday in Cocoa Village
Catch those beads and laissez les bons temps roulez Saturday evening.
Mardi Gras, an annual tradition in Cocoa Village, will happen once again, and this year, it promises to be a family-oriented, business-friendly affair with a themed parade.
Cocoa Village Mardi Gras 2018 looked doubtful after former organizer Deuterman Productions backed out a few weeks ago, according to city officials. Village resident Susie Wasdin took it over, turning it into a community event rather than a raucous party.
A parade will start at 5:45 p.m. at the Parrish Grove Inn, 536 Delannoy Ave., and will loop through Cocoa Village. Making up the procession will be floats, bands from Cocoa and Rockledge high schools, performers from Cocoa Village Playhouse, animal-accompanied representatives of the Central Brevard Humane Society, Cocoa’s antique fire truck and local notables.
In true krewe fashion, Jim and Trisha Frazier of Grimaldi Candy Company will serve as king and queen, borne on a royal float in the 45-minute parade.
“I think it would be a sad affair not to have Mardi Gras in Cocoa Village. I’m glad someone has stepped up to do it,” said Emma Elliott Kirkpatrick, manager of Ossorio Bakery and Café and a longtime activist in the Historic Cocoa Village Association
“This is going to be a family-friendly Mardi Gras, appropriate for people of all ages,” Wasdin said. “We have moved the parade time to 5:45 p.m. to reflect the needs of families with younger children. ... We want families to enjoy an evening in Cocoa Village.”
A ticketed Mardi Party after the parade will benefit the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.
Anastacia Hawkins-Smith, chief executive officer and artistic director of the playhouse, called that “good for everybody.”
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Although vehicular traffic will be rerouted around streets blocked off at parade time, Mardi Gras ‘18 also will keep in mind the feelings of local shop and restaurant owners, who in the past have complained about their businesses being inaccessible during certain annual events.
“There will be no food vendors, and alcohol will be sold solely in our restaurants, so if you want to eat or drink, you can do it in one of our restaurants,” Wasdin said. “There will be no fences, nothing to block access to our restaurants and stores, during the Mardi Gras parade.”
That pleases Kirkpatrick, who has voiced displeasure at some of the antics of revelers at previous street parties.
“An un-gated, family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration will be great for business and great for the village,” she said.
Most of all, however, it will be great for the Cocoa Village Playhouse. Wasdin is vice chair for the organization's board of directors.
“All proceeds from Mardi Gras will go toward operating expenses at the playhouse," she said. "People don’t realize how much it takes to operate a (facility) like this. The city owns the playhouse itself, but we have responsibility for operating expenses."
Hawkins-Smith backed up Wasdin's statement with numbers.
“Our operating budget this year is $1,737,000," she said. "The city of Cocoa handles the maintenance, so if we need the air conditioner fixed, for example, the city will send someone to fix it. But anything theatrical is our responsibility, including costumes, tech, royalties; anything related to (theatrical performances). We paid $137,000 this season just for the rights to the plays we have presented here. So fundraisers like Mardi Gras are so important to us."
Wasdin, who said the parade remains open to floats and other units, called the playhouse “a cultural landmark that deserves the support of the public.
“We are very fortunate to have board members like Susie,” Hawkins-Smith said. “We are so glad she is willing to help. And we are so glad a family-friendly Mardi Gras will come to Cocoa Village.”
For information about participation in the Mardi Gras parade or Mardi Party, call 321-604-5134 or email rentlady1@gmail.com.
Mardi Party
A ticketed Mardi Party that will feature New Orleans-style food, such as étouffée and beignets, catered by A N.Y. Pizza House, will follow the parade. Alabama-based Southern Power, Grimaldi Candy Company and Jaguar Land Rover of Merritt Island will sponsor the gathering, with all proceeds going to the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.
The party will be in the home of Tom and Susie Wasdin. Guests can arrive at 4 p.m. to watch the parade. Tickets are $125 a person and reservations are required. Call 321-604-5134 or email rentlady1@gmail.com.
Dowling is a Suntree-based freelance writer.
Check out photos from last year's fun here.