Four days of festival fun is about to begin in Fairport Harbor Village.
Fairport Mardi Gras will take place July 3-6 at Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park, located at 301 Huntington Beach Drive. Hours are 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
“Christmas in July” is the theme of the 2024 Fairport Mardi Gras.
The 2024 celebration will offer carnival-style amusem*nt rides and games, live music; an array of food stands; vendors selling items such as jewelry and apparel; and plenty of fun activities for people of all ages.
Other highlights of Mardi Gras, which is marking its 82nd anniversary this year, are an opening-night parade and a fireworks display to conclude the festival.
Here is a schedule of daily events for the 2024 Mardi Gras:
July 3 Parade Day
• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. — D.J. Rick
• 7 p.m. —The annual parade begins on Third Street, at its intersection with East Street. The procession then heads west on Third Street; south onto Vine Street; west on Seventh Street; and north on Eagle Street; where it ends on Third Street, near Village Hall. After the parade, judging and crowning of the 2023 Mardi Gras Queen will take place in Memorial Park, located on Third Street between Eagle and Plum streets.
• 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. — Live music by Jester’s Revenge
July 4 Kids Day
• 1 to 5 p.m. — D.J. Rick
• 1 to 5 p.m. — Kids Day. Children will have the chance to visit with Santa Claus, decorate Christmas cookies and eat cotton candy.
In addition, this year’s new amusem*nt ride company at Mardi Gras will sponsor a special raffle for children.
All children who buy a ride wristband between 1 and 5 p.m. on Kids Day only will be automatically entered into Big Top Magic Midways’ raffle to win a boys bicycle and girls bicycle.
“We will draw one boy and one girl winner at 5 p.m. (July 4),” said Mardi Gras Committee President Shannon Barnhill.
• 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. — D.J. Wild Bill
July 5 Alumni and Senior Day
• Noon to 3 p.m. — Senior Day
Bingo for senior citizens will be held in the Entertainment Garden from noon to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 2:30.
Fairport Harbor Senior Center will provide bus transportation to and from Senior Day bingo for senior citizens who reside in any community. Shuttles begin at 11:30 a.m.
Seniors can park at the senior center, 1380 East St., and take a Laketran bus to and from the festival.For more information on this special bus service, call the Senior Center at (440) 354-3674.
• 5 to 11 p.m. — Fairport Harding High School Alumni Reunion Night.
• 5 to 7 p.m. — Live music by Joey Panzarella
• 8 to 11 p.m. — Live music by Guilty Party
July 6 Fireworks
• 1 to 5 p.m. — Live Music by 2 Guys, 12 Strings
• 7 to 11 p.m. — D.J. Wild Bill
• Dusk — Fireworks (Entertainment Garden Center and the hill to the north of Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse offer the best views.)
The festival’s grand prize drawing for $5,000 cash will be held immediately after the fireworks exhibition.
This year, visitors to Fairport Mardi Gras must abide by new safety and security rules. These regulations have been implemented to prevent the rowdy and violent behavior that disrupted some other recent area festivals.
Here are the new 2024 Fairport Mardi Gras rules that are intended to keep the event orderly and peaceful:
• Entrance and exit to the festival must be done at designated access points. These locations, as well as a map of the festival grounds, can be viewed in a poston Fairport Mardi Gras’ Facebook page.
• All people arriving during the daytime should use the festival’s main entrance near theFairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouseat Second and High streets.
“The north side beach entrance will be available in the later afternoons or after 7 p.m.,” Mardi Gras’ news release stated.
Barnhill said the entire festival grounds will be bordered by rope this year, with the exception of the two entrances.
• Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter Mardi Gras after 7 p.m.
• No fighting or disorderly behavior.
• No hoods or face masks permitted unless medically necessary.
• Book bags or oversized bags are subject to inspection upon entry.
• Alcohol must be purchased from, and remain in, the designated Entertainment Garden.
• Additional items may be prohibited at the discretion of law enforcement or event officials.
• By requesting entry into this event, all festivalgoers and attendees shall be subject to search.
