Hardli Gras + Fat Bike Sunday

If you've ever experienced the joy and magic of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, you know the season is far different than scenes of topless tourists throwing beads from balconies on Bourbon Street. Mardi Gras conjures images of families and neighborhoods coming together in the streets, floats the size of shoeboxes and tractor-trailers, pets dressed in tandem with their human friends. A time for seasoned costumers to pick from their costume closets and first-time frolickers to have an excuse to pick up that shimmery top and tutu they've been eyeing for a year... joining together in the spirit of community.

While impossible to replace the magic of the season in New Orleans, Hardli Gras and Fat Bike Sunday are a little taste of that joy right here in Downtown Raleigh. One big party for and with our community!

It all starts on Sunday February 19, 2023 at 11am for the kickoff gathering and To-Go drinks for kids of all ages at Tasty Beverage Company. Raleigh Sister Cities will also be slingin' must-have beignets!

At 12:00pm we will depart for the Hardli Gras Sidewalk Stroll through the Sip n' Stroll Downtown Social District presented by Marisa Lappin and Joel Pominville. Boom Unit Brass Band will be playing in secondline style through downtown and back to Crank Arm.

Choose your own adventure:

• Come dressed in your finest shimmery, flagrant, shiny garments... Or choose a theme for your family or friends and create costumes! Just remember it might be a little chilly.
• Want to make a "float"? Decorate your stroller, a Radio Flyer wagon, a shoebox with wheels and strong, or make a float you can wear! Check out our Pinterest board below for ideas.
• https://pin.it/2WcMVF4

We then head to a fun-filled party with the OG Downtown Strollers at Crank Arm Brewing Company

Want to ride and not stroll? Join us at Crank Arm at 12:30pm where the Crank Army Cycling team will lead a cruiser ride of about 10 miles departing and returning to Crank Arm.

Looking for a taste of New Orleans? There will be seafood gumbo, chicken/sausage gumbo and shrimp po' boy from Smoked Out BBQ. Love Crumbs is baking a festive king cake. Crank Arm will be brewing up King (of the Mountain) Cake blonde ale that is inspired by the delicious the sweet Mardi Gras treat. Music for the party will be provided by Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojos.

This, of course, is "Hardli" Mardi Gras... but it will do! See you on Fat Bike Sunday!

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TL;DR - The details:
Sunday, February 19, 2023
11:00am @tastybev_dtr for to-go drinks and beignets from @ralsistercities
12:00pm sidewalk stroll around downtown with Boom Unit Brass Band
12:30pm 10-mile bike ride with Crank Army Cycling team
End with food, drinks, good company and music from Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojos @crankarmbrew
**This is a family and dog-friendly event!