What to Know for Dunedin's Mardi Gras Parade and Street Party

Dunedin's Fat Tuesday celebration has been known to attract upwards of 20,000 revelers to downtown.

The annual Downtown Dunedin Merchants Association celebration kicks off with food and drink vendors on Main Street and live performances in Pioneer Park at 5 p.m., and a float parade (with lots of beads) at 7:30. The street party goes until 11 p.m.

If you are going, here's what's to know:

WEATHER: 

The night should bring mostly cloudy skies, with a low around 61 and calm winds, according to the National Weather Service. Dress appropriately — and keep in mind this year's theme is "Big Mama's Jambalaya Jive (Come to Mama)."

TRANSPORTATION: 

Parking:
(visit the city parking map, also pictured to the right.)

• Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, 
• Edgewater Park (the Dunedin Municipal Marina), 
• Across from the Dunedin Brewery, 
• In lot at Highland Avenue and Main Street (behind Paris Hair Design),
• Along Main Street between Louden Avenue and DePaz Restaurant (where Main Street meets State Road 580), and
• In the lot on Milwaukee Avenue, near Skinner Boulevard. 

Suggestions for Locals:

• Ride your bicycle or golf carts to avoid traffic and parking conjestion.
• The Jolley Trolley is NOT running through Dunedin for the festivities.

WHAT TO BRING/LEAVE AT HOME:

• Bring: a photo ID; cash for souvenirs, food, wine and beer (ATMs will be on site). your kids are also welcome, but watch out for flying beads during the parade).
• Think twice: not a great idea to bring pets, lawn chairs, alcohol.

THE PARADE ROUTE: 

The parade route runs along Douglas Avenue from Florida Auto Exchange Stadium to Skinner Boulevard. Expect road closures all along Douglas and on Main Street from Louden Avenue to Broadway.

WHO/WHAT TO LOOK FOR:   

On Stage:

• The Vodkanauts
• Cyril Neville, headliner

In the Parade:

• Leading the pack: The City of Dunedin Pipe Band
• Somewhere in the middle: The Jolley Trolley is carrying city leaders
• The caboose: The Funedin "Shiny, Happy People" escorting the Mardi Gras King and Queen  

More info: Visit the Downtown Dunedin Merchants Association website: http://delightfuldunedin.com/mardi-gras.