Lake Wales Mardi Gras

The pre-Lent event, whose name means Fat Tuesday, may not be as big as the celebrations in New Orleans, but the concept is the same with jubilant music and masked Krewe members tossing trinkets, such as colorful plastic cups, beads and doubloons to a crowd with outreached hands.

The Lake Wales version of Mardi Gras occurs on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday is a celebration observed by some the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the traditional fast of the Christian season of Lent which leads up to Easter.

About 20,000 people turn out each year for the family-friendly celebration to view homemade floats made by local volunteers.

The crowning event of the festival is the parade, but other activities are held throughout the day. There's a street festival with food and craft vendors and music.