Marda Gras, the celebration of all things Marda Loop, is set to celebrate their 37th anniversary this year as Calgary’s longest-running street festival.

From annual favourites like the pet pageant to the hundreds of local vendors—many of whom include local businesses with a full-time presence in the community—the festival has long been a staple for the Marda Loop community.

Interest for this year’s festival has been high, topping what already the Marda Loop BIA considered their most successful year of Marda Gras in 2023.

This year, the festival boasts more than 200 vendors, with a quarter of those being local businesses to Marda Loop.

“This year we actually sold out of vendor spaces on the street, and we’ve sold out faster than we ever have before,” said Bob van Wegen, Executive Director for the Marda Loop BIA.

“It’s a super good indication that in spite of the construction, or maybe even because of it, people are very anxious to come down to Marda Loop, come and meet their neighbours, and be on the streets of Mardi Gras.”

The City of Calgary has been redeveloping the community as part of the Marda Loop Main Street project for the past couple of years, but van Wegen said Marda Gras was a chance to experience the community sans construction.

“Certainly given all the news about the construction we’ve been having for the last 18 months, it’s a great opportunity to show that, we’re open for his business… it’s a great place to come and visit,” he said.

“In practical terms, Marda Gras actually is a great day to come down, because every year for Marda Gras we close the street and there’s no parking in the area because of the festival.”

Parking off the main street is available through the festival, however, and organizers host a pick-up and drop-off shuttle every year.

The festival itself has put a lot of emphasis on being pedestrian friendly—and in the grand tradition of Marda Gras, pet friendly.

Pet Pageant returns in support of Tails of Help and Parachutes for Pets

An annual highlight of Marda Gras for decades has been the pet pageant, which has invited the furriest and sometimes scaliest pets to strut their stuff on the main stage.

“We are thrilled to highlight our Pet Pageant this year, which embodies the joy and creativity that our festival is known for. We can’t wait to see the amazing costumes and talents of our four-legged friends,” said Shannon McNally, Marda Gras Festival Manager.

As in past years, pets will be judged on their costumes and personalities, with winners receiving between $50 and $250 to spend at Marda Loop BIA businesses.

Celebrity judges this year include food influencer Chanry Thach, Olympian Grace Dafoe, and the 2023 Pet Pageant winner, Toffee the Pomchi.

Entries into the pageant are $25 each, with all of the funds from the registrations this year being donated to support Tails of Help and Parachutes for Pets.

“Certainly the pet pageant’s been sort of like a real focal point of Marda Gras for a number of years. This is a very pet-friendly neighbourhood, and I’ve seen everything from dogs to garter snakes in the pet pageants and kitties and everything in between,” said van Wegen.

“Who doesn’t like seeing animals in little costumes, doing tricks? It’s a fabulous highlight of the day, for sure.”

As part of creating a pet-friendly atmosphere off the main stage, the festival has set up a pet oasis area with shade, water, and a few interactive activities for pets and their owners.

New for 2024 is a dog show held three times during the festival day from Okotoks-based The Bark Side.

The pageant kicks off at 1:45 p.m., and runs until 2:30 p.m.

Entertainment abounds on three stages

Also returning for this year is a wide variety of family-friendly entertainment activities including live musical and community cultural performances.

The Kids Quarter, named after the Mardi Gras French Quarter in New Orleans, is where the festival places most of the activities designed for the youngest visitors to Marda Gras.

“We wanted to ensure that Marda Gras is a fun and inclusive experience for everyone, and the Kids Quarter is a big part of that. We’re excited to see families come together and make the most of this special area,” said McNally.

Among the community groups that will be performing on the main stage and the 19 Street and 22 Street stages this year, include the Youth Singers of Calgary, Iskcon Calgary, Capoeira Brasil Calgary, and Peruvian Rhythms Society.

Musical artists include Anna Lewis, Hayley Isabel, Kirby Sewell, and Kayla Williams & The Yacht Daddies.

A full list of the entertainment performances is available at www.visitmardaloop.com/mardagras/entertainment.

Marda Gras runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 11 in Marda Loop.