Ready for Mardi Gras? Here are 5 local spots to celebrate through March 4

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday.”

While New Orleans has made Mardi Gras famous, it actually originated in Europe as a way to prepare for Lent before Easter. It’s celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. This year, Mardi Gras is on March 4. It’s now a day of festivities, celebrations, parades, good food (think gumbo, beignets and jambalaya), and more. How did it become Fat Tuesday?
According to history.com, “traditionally, in the days leading up to Lent, merrymakers would binge on all the rich, fatty foods—meat, eggs, milk, lard and cheese—that remained in their homes, in anticipation of several weeks of eating only fish and different types of fasting.” So, how will you celebrate Mardi Gras? Here are a few area events:

March 1

Ocean Avenue Stompers Mardi Gras Party, Wildwood

Station House at MudHen Brewing Co. hosts the event.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The event is from 7 to 10 p.m. and the entrance fee is $10.

Anyone under 21 must be with a parent or legal guardian.

MudHen Brewing also hosts a New Orleans-style musical group, James Day & the Fish Fry, on March 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. Entry is free.

Wine & Chocolate Mardi Gras 5K Run, Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City

This rain-or-shine event, with activities before and after the runs, is on March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

It will offer a 1 Mile Kids Fun Run at 9:45 a.m. and a 5K Run at 10 a.m. The 5K price: $40 for participants over 21, $30 for younger runners.

The fun run will be $20 for kids 14 and under.

Prices will be higher for race-day registration.

5k participants over 21 receive a stemless glass keepsake, one wine sampling, and chocolate finishers medal. 5k participants under 21 receive a chocolate finishers medal.

Mardi Gras Bar Crawl, Philadelphia

The Xfinity Live! event is from 3 to 10 p.m. Tickets range from $16 to $39.95.
There is no cover at participating bars with tickets. There will be beads, Mardi Gras masquerade masks, discounted food and drink specials at bars and more.

March 2

The Wild Bohemians’ 41st Annual Mardi Gras Parade, Philadelphia

Participants meet up at noon at Fat Tuesday, the South Street restaurant. The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. and has stops at Paddy Whacks Irish Sports Pub and O’Neals Pub. The Wild Bohemians, a Philadelphia-based Mardi Gras band, lead the parade each year.

March 4

Mardi Gras Night! Paint & Sip, Philadelphia

Our House Culture Center hosts the event on Fat Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.Tickets are $28.Go: 6380 Germantown Avenue,

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