Mardi Gras Celebration Comes to Augusta

Laissez les bon temps rouler - it’s a Cajun greeting literally translated as “Let the good times roll.” It’s the city of New Orleans’s motto and a Mardi Gras phrase likely to be heard a lot over the next few weeks.  

Officially, Mardi Gras kicks off on Tuesday, March 4 - 47 days before Easter. Augusta will celebrate a bit early. 

Augusta’s annual Mardi Gras celebration kicks off with a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball at Julian Smith Casino on Friday, February 28. The Masquerade Ball is a ticketed event featuring live music, Cajun cuisine, a DJ, and a best mask contest.  

Christina Watson organized Augusta’s first Mardi Gras celebration with a masquerade ball in 2022. The event celebrated the first year of her business, Bike Bike Baby. Watson’s New Orleans roots motivate her love of Mardi Gras and all things Cajun.  

“I remember experiencing Mardi Gras, walking in parades from her school years all the way to adulthood,” she said. 

 She said she also takes her own kids to Mardi Gras every chance she gets. The success of the initial Augusta Mardi Gras masquerade ball inspired Watson to expand her vision of a full-scale Mardi Gras celebration in the CSRA. 

 “I want to bring a little bit of home to Augusta to share the culture,” she said. 

For Watson, that meant a parade. Augusta’s Mardi Gras celebration will continue Saturday, March 1^, with Augusta’s inaugural Mardi Gras parade. The parade will start at 1 p.m.. in front of the Miller Theater then travel down Greene Street and back. Christina said that they’re still accepting parade entries on her website - bikebikebikebaby.com. 

The Fat Tuesday Food and Music Festival immediately follows the parade at the Augusta Common. 

The Saturday event features several options for food- Cajun included. Beer and wine sales, live music and family-friendly activities are also planned.  

“This will be a great kickoff (to outdoor festival season),” Watson said. 

Other events planned around Mardi Gras are the Augusta Sports Council’s Mardi Gras Half Marathon, 10K & 5K which was held on February 22 and an all-day Mardi Gras Party at Lenox On Tenth on March 1. 

WHAT: Fat Tuesday Food & Music Festival 

WHEN: 3 p.m. – 8 p,m.. Saturday, March 1 

WHERE: Augusta Common, 836 Reynolds Street 

COST: $10, Children under 13  free with a non-perishable food item 

WHAT: Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball 

WHEN: Friday, February 28. Doors open at 7 p.m.. 

WHERE: Julian Smith Casino, 2200 Broad Street 

COST: $50 Individual/$80 Couple (Includes dinner and one wine ticket); $350/$450 Tables (Six seat tables include reserved seating, dinner, three complimentary bottles of wine and one 750 ml bottle of liquor. Eight seat tables include reserved seating, dinner, four complimentary bottles of wine and one 750 ml bottle of liquor.)  

Tickets available here.