The streets of downtown Leesburg burst in purple, gold, green and an array of colors Saturday for the city’s annual Mardi Gras celebration.
The 12 hours of fun got off to a rollicking start with a children’s parade that included several floats.
The Leesburg Recreational Department was represented by the Leesburg Bombers riding a pirate ship, the Black Pearl that was strapped with cannons that emitted smoke. They won best overall float.
“The crowd was great,” said Jeff Moore, an official with the team.
Lake Montessori School’s float contained a giant and colorful Mardi Gras mask that won Best Large Float.
The parade kicked off about 11 a.m. and included walkers on stilts and the Perseverance Jazz Band help to lead the way with a number of songs that included the Mardi Gras standard — “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
The band continued to play on the sidewalks during the festival.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said cornet player Lew Green.
The parade was followed by live entertainment, street bands, street performers, children’s amusement rides.
Trying to take party goers closer to New Orleans, a makeshift Bourbon Street was set up that included rum runners, frozen margaritas and other alcohol as well as crawfish and a smorgasbord of Cajun food.
One vendor sold alligator jerky.
“It like a taste of New Orleans,” said Maria Glass, as she dove into a bowl of jambalaya.
There was no shortage of Mardi Gras paraphernalia as patrons could purchase beads and other items from various vendors.
Rain put somewhat of a damper on the festival and some vendors left earlier. But the afternoon pet parade still attracted more than a dozen competitors.
It was a parade in which many pets were dressed just as exquisitely as their owners. Suzette DeGaetano, attired in a purple feather headband, took top honor in the pet parade with her dog, Buddy. He who was dressed as a king — complete with a crown and robe.
“I just love these parades,” DeGaetano said.
The main parade was Saturday evening and featured Johnny Malik and Mandy Wettstein, who were crowned King Rex & Queen Divine during the Mardi Gras Ball on Friday.