Panama City Beach - The Krewe of St. Andrews and the St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership have teamed up this year to bring the festival and parades to Historic St. Andrews.
Mardi Gras Festival Schedule:
The St. Andrews Mardi Gras Festival is from 2-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday in the streets of Historic St. Andrews. The festival will feature 70 vendors and live music on eight stages.
EastBay will get the music started at 2 p.m. Friday on Stage 1 and then come back for more at 6 p.m. Saturday. The local island rock duo, featuring John Davis on vocals and guitar and David Merriam on percussion, is a regular at the St. Andrews Waterfront Farmers’ Market.
Savannah-based Sunday Project will be on Stage 2 at 2 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday, bringing guitar and folk lyrics for its indie sound. The band features Sidney Holloway on guitar and vocals, Greg Parton on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Johnny Briggs on percussion and Trevor Johnson on bass.
Almost There will perform at 5 p.m. Friday on Stage 1 and 1 p.m. Saturday on Stage 2. High school sophomores James Bell, Mason Downey and Haden Martinez describe their original music as a mix of rock and blues, but they also play a variety of crowd favorites. Downey, who founded the band, is the lead singer and guitarist. He and Bell, drummer, began playing music together at Holy Nativity Episcopal School during a guitar class.
“I’ve been playing with James since I was in second grade,” Downey said.
Downey said they got serious about music in middle school and then recruited Martinez, bassist and vocalist, in 2008.
Bell’s dad, John Bell, heard them practicing one day, and he said, “you’re almost there.” The name stuck. For this weekend, the band has 24 songs planned, including “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown, “Crossroads” by John Mayer and “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock. They even have produced some originals, such as “Abandoned Apathy” by Downey and “Finally Found My Way” by Martinez.
Following Almost There on Friday will be the Blackout Brass Band at 6 p.m. Started as an experimental project by a group from the 98th Army Silver Wings Band, the Blackout Brass Band brings traditional New Orleans street band instrumentation and incorporates funk rhythms.
Grammy nominee Slim Fatz will go on at 5 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday on Stage 2. The Delta bluesman’s latest offering is a team effort between Slim Fatz and legendary music producer, Neal James, “Everybody Loves Slim.”
Following Slim Fatz on Friday will be Panama City-based Kelly & The Healers with classic blues. Led by singer and lead guitarist Kelly Hundley, who has appeared with artists such B.B. King, Eric Johnson, Jeff Healey and Rick Derringer, the band also features bassist and vocalist Neal Franks and drummer Chris Curry.
The Tony Vegas Group goes on Stage 1 at 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. Blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Tony Vegas, an international recording artist, has released three CDs including “Rockin’ the Blues,” “Cajun Ladies” and “Nawlins Renaissance.”
KD and Legacy goes on at 4 p.m. Saturday on Stage 1. Based out of Dothan, Ala., Legacy entertains with Motown, R&B and smooth jazz. The band includes Melvin Burks on keyboards and trumpet, Kenneth Darden “KD” on lead vocals and guitar, Marcus Hart as bassist and musical director, Keith Anderson on drums, James Crawford “JC” on guitar and Leslie Moguel on lead and background vocals.
Emerald County Line, a modern country band, performs at 4 p.m. Saturday on Stage 2. The band features guitarist and founder Tim Parrish, female lead singer Brittnie Sloan, Luke Abbey on lead guitar and harmonica, Caleb Todd on bass guitar and Kenny Brown on drums. Emerald County Line has opened for national acts including Carrie Underwood.
The Bay Stage Avant-Garde, a new community theater organization in Panama City, will be performing mime sketches during the festival.
Our Best Panama City Beach Condo Rentals at Celadon Beach Resort are reserved but I bet you can still find a place to stay at Celadon Beach Resort if you want to visit for the weekend. Call 850-236-1965.
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