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Laissez les bons temps rouler pour les familles.

Mardi Gras Destin, Florida style can best be described as, “Laissez les bons temps rouler pour les familles” – let the good times roll for families.
 
Mardi Gras in the “big easy” sounds great, because of the awesome food, music, parades, and celebratory crowds. However, kid friendly it is not.  If blind-folding your kids to join in the fun isn’t a great option, then head on over to the Destin, Florida Mardi Gras celebrations.
 
Are there parades? Of course there are! The parade schedule starts with a kick off parade on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11 am along Santa Rosa Boulevard near the Santa Rosa Mall. The festival at the mall features live home grown Louisiana entertainment, a variety of arts and craft booths, rock climbing, and lots of wonderful food and drink! It will be a relaxing day filled with fun, beads, candy, food and music safe for the entire family!
 
Next is the Mardi Gras Destin, Florida Dog Parade on Sunday, February 19 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, Florida. Kids of all ages will thrill at the site of costumed dogs, decked out in Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold, and green, sunglasses and swimsuits. Their humans, many of which will be towing carts behind them, will be throwing a myriad of throws, beads, and parade favors. Themed convertibles, small floats, golf carts, bicycles, and decorated wagons will be everywhere and Mardi Gras Destin, Florida music will fill the air.
 
(For people who want to travel for this special event with their four legged friends, check the Destin, Florida vacation rentals page for clearly marked pet friendly lodging. Fluffy may want to be a parade star in her own right!)

Again in the Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, Florida the Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade on February 21 begins at 5 pm. Billed as “family friendly” (hint, no bared chests or other inappropriate behavior), attendees are still invited to “let their hair down.”

This festive day of the year event will be complete with colorful floats, golf carts, street performers and marchers dressed up in their best Mardi Gras costumes. You and the kidos can be sure to leave with loads of beads, moon pies and other trinkets.

The post‐parade celebration will go on into the night with street performers, “throws” tossed from balconies on Main St, and parties at various Baytowne establishments.

Keep in mind that awesome food at the Baytowne Wharf isn’t forgotten. With the exciting back drop of live Cajun music, delicious cooking seminars and home-made gumbo soup served by Gulf Coast restaurants and businesses, the 23rd Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival, to be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 is sure to satisfy the most discriminating tastebuds.

Another place to keep in mind for family friendly Mardi Gras fare is Galveston, Texas. Check out Galveston Island, Texas vacation rentals for lodging.

Also keep in mind that the closeness of New Orleans to the Florida Gulf Coast makes a day trip there possible. For those yearning for some adult Mardi Gras flavor, check with you Destin, Florida vacation rental owner for baby sitting recommendations. Then head on over to the “big easy,” and enjoy the adult entertainment.

Whatever is your choice,  “Laissez les bons temps rouler.”