Calgary’s Marda Gras Street Festival makes a full comeback after a 2 year hiatus
Posted Aug 13, 2022 1:10 pm.
Last Updated Aug 13, 2022 1:34 pm.
Calgary’s Marda Gras street festival returns this weekend.
This is Calgary’s longest-running family-friendly street festival and hosts over 35,000 visitors during a single day
The event takes place annually in the heart of Marda Loop in downtown Calgary.
We're now less than two days away from Marda Loop's biggest event of the year! Are you coming to Marda Gras 2022? pic.twitter.com/ML5p5vuWcY
— Marda Gras Festival (@mardagrasyyc) August 11, 2022
The event will feature a diverse palette of vendors including delectable food trucks, local artisans selling handmade jewelry, dancers, and musicians, and overall it’s set to be a mixture of entertainment and shopping, according to Visit Marda Loop.
The festival is pet friendly as well, and you’re encouraged to bring your pet and even dress them up for the pet contest.
Your pet can take centre stage this Sunday at the legendary Calgary Marda Gras Street Festival Pet Pageant: https://t.co/E90CiJ6ofq@DailyHiveYYC
— Marda Gras Festival (@mardagrasyyc) August 11, 2022
The Marda Loop Street Festival was originally launched in the mid-1980s and has been a big part of the Marda Loop Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the Marda Loop community, says Visit Marda Loop.
Currently, there are 15 BIAs in the City of Calgary — such as Kensington, 17th Ave, or Inglewood — that present main street areas that advocate for small businesses.
Marda Gras was originally supposed to be a flea market of sorts with live bands and other attractions but was relaunched as Marda Gras Day in 1987.
Unlike the famous Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it’s not an exact imitation of it but does draw on certain aspects like the beads and masks theme says Visit Marda Loop.
Admission is free and takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
