Fat Tuesday is the best Tuesday, especially in New Smyrna Beach, for the 15th Annual Mardi Gras Celebration, on February 16th from 4 pm – 9 pm!

This year there will be NO PARADE for Mardi Gras on Flagler Avenue but the Celebration will feature the NSB Gumbo Challenge, NSB Fleur de Key Contest, Mardi Gras Float Displays, Mardi Gras-themed music, and food specials from host locations along Flagler Avenue! Check-out the list of the festivities below!

GUMBO CHALLENGE & The NSB FLEUR DE KEY CONTEST

The Sixth Annual New Smyrna Beach Gumbo Challenge returns Tuesday, February 16th, from 4 pm – 8 pm! Like other Progressive Food Challenges in New Smyrna Beach, the NSB Gumbo Challenge participants can taste unique and savory different types of Gumbo at host locations on Flagler Avenue for $15. Besides tasting the best Gumbos in town, 12 lucky winners will receive “Dinner on Us for the Rest of 2021” with the NSB Fleur de Key Contest, brought to you by NSBFoodie and the Flagler Avenue Hospitality Group! At multiple host locations, passport holders will be given a key that can be used to open the Treasure Chest boxes located at the Welcome Tent. Participants with at least one key that opens the Treasure Chest box will receive gift certificates each valid for a particular month for the rest of 2021 from various restaurants and eateries on Flagler Avenue. Plus, all Gumbo Challenge participants can vote for their favorite Gumbo and winners will receive “The Best of Beach” Awards!

Like other food challenges on Flagler Avenue, guests use their tasting passports to visit host sites and sample their Gumbo. Tasting passports and spoons are picked up at the “Start Here” Welcome Tent at the corner of Cooper Street and Flagler Avenue. Day off event passport sales starts at 3:30 pm. However, we strongly suggest pre-ordering your passport as WE COULD SELL OUT!

MARDI GRAS FLOAT DISPLAYS:

There may not be a parade this year, but we will have the Krewe’s and their floats DISPLAYED and PARKED along Flagler Avenue! From 6 pm – 9 pm, decorated floats, vehicles, and golf carts will be displayed along Flagler Avenue in parking spaces and/or private adjacent parking lots.

Mardi Gras Displays will be judged in the following categories:

BEST FLOAT

BEST VEHICLE

BEST GOLF CART

THE REX AWARD (Overall Best in Show)

To kick the event off, the Mardi Gras King and Queen Coronation will take place at 5:45 pm. They will drive down Flagler Avenue starting at Buenos Aires Street and continue down Flagler Avenue.

MARDI GRAS DINING AND MUSIC

Select Host locations on Flagler Avenue will have Mardi Gras music and food options. Check back often for details and menus from participating establishments!

So come down to Flagler Avenue and celebrate the 15th Annual Mardi Celebration, Tuesday, February 16th, from 4 pm – 6 pm

Laissez les bons temps rouler!