San Diego's Mardi Gras Celebration

Just because you are unable to travel to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, is no reason to forgo the Fat Tuesday party in San Diego. Hillcrest will hold its 7^th annual Mardi Gras celebration on February 5, 2008 with a huge array of traditional Mardi Gras entertainment, food and music.

The party will go on despite any weather conditions that occur. Tents are available. The show begins at 6:00 pm and the venue closes at 11:00 pm. However, the various after parties will continue throughout the night at various local hot spots. For more information about the after parties please visit http://www.hillcrestmardigra.org/.

Featured entertainers for 2008 include the infamous Candye Kane whose latest album is entitled "Guitar'd and Feathered". Il Circo will also perform, and DJ Corey D will be at the dance stage. More information is available at the website; http://www.hillcrestmardigras.org. You can also view some fantastic photos of previous years Hillcrest Mardi Gras celebrations.

Tickets are available in advance for $15 at Obelisk Bookstore, Urban Moe's, Rainbow Road, Column One, Ono Sushi, and Express Tax. Tickets are also available the day of the celebration for $20. Last year's party was sold out; so you are encouraged to buy your tickets in advance. VIP tickets are also available in limited quantity. VIP tickets allow access to the VIP tent. where all food, beer, and wine is hosted by Sysco Foods. There are only 300 VIP tickets available. Hillcrest Mardi Gras is only for those over the age of 21 and they encourage responsible drinking. Alternative means of transportation will be available.

Hillcrest's Mardi Gras is a charity event sponsored by GSDBA Charitable Foundation and the Hillcrest Business Association. The GSDBA funds a youth scholarship program from its Mardi Gras proceeds. The Hillcrest Association manages the Hillcrest Business Improvement District. The Association's share of the proceeds from the Mardi Gras Party goes to improve the neighborhood through various projects such as the Business Ambassador Program, extra street sweeping, and graffiti control. The Hillcrest Association is a public benefit corporation consisting of all the businesses in the neighborhood.

Directions to the Uptown San Diego Hillcrest Mardi Gras are as follows: from the north take Hwy. 163 to the University Avenue Exit (one exit south of Interstate 8). If you are coming from the south, take Interstate 5 to Hwy. 163 to the Robinson Street exit.

Grab some beads and head out to Hillcrest for a Mardi Gras celebration that will assault your senses and make you feel as if you are actually taking part in the New Orleans revelry.