PMGI is hosting a meeting for all downtown retail merchants on Tuesday, July 29 at the Palace Oyster Bar in Seville Quarter starting at 8:30 a.m., to discuss ways to encourage Valentine’s Day Gift shopping and make Downtown retailers accessible during the 2015 Mardi Gras events. Representatives from the DIB, along with Mardi Gras organizers, will lead an open discussion. All Downtown Pensacola retailers and gallery owners are encouraged to attend.
The Mardi Gras season refers to events and celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany or Kings Day and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” reflecting the practice of imbibing before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. Since before 1900, Pensacola has celebrated Mardi Gras on the weekend before Fat Tuesday.
In 2015, Fat Tuesday is Feb. 17, making the weekend celebration on Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 14. Mardi Gras parades close many downtown streets on Friday and Saturday for the traditional parades. The events have grown to bring tens of thousands of revelers into downtown, and many downtown roads are closed to accommodate the tremendous events.
Pensacola Mardi Gras Inc. has promoted and produced Pensacola’s public celebration for 15 years. PMGI is dedicated to growing the Downtown celebration, and wants to insure success for everyone involved. This includes retailers and galleries of all types. Valentine’s Day represents tremendous retail opportunities, and we want to offer an open forum to discuss ways we can support the downtown merchants.
This meeting is free and open to everyone. If you have questions, or for more information, please contact us at pensacolamardigras@gmail.com.