PANAMA CITY BEACH — Mardi Gras to Liven Up St. Andrews This Weekend – February 25-26, 2011. Check out the Schedule

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.

Panama City Beach - Mardi Gras on the Beach and Downtown St. Andrews February 10-13, 2010

Panama City Beach - Something for everyone! 2010 Mardi Gras festival in St. Andrews!.

FEB. 10-13th. Little Miss & Mr. Mardi Gras Contest (Ages 5-10, Applications due Jan. 29th), Mardi Gras Costume Contest (18+), Gumbo and Cajun Cook-offs, Jazz Funeral March & Royal Court Appearances....read more below!

February 10th. Mardi Gras Festivities in St. Andrews
5 - 7 PM Panama City Publishing Co. open to display the History of Mardi Gras in St. Andrews complete with pictures, video, memorabilia and costumes.
5:00PM Royal Court Appearance @ Hunt's Oyster Bar
5:30PM Royal Court Appearance & Charity Gumbo Cook-off begins @ Pappy's - come and watch teams compete as they create their signature gumbo dishes.
6:00PM New Orleans Dirge (Jazz Funeral March) from Pappy's to Uncle Ernie's Restaurant - the public is invited to join in the fun!
6:30PM The Krewe of St. Andrews is proud to announce its 1st Little Miss and Mr. Mardi Gras Contest for children ages 5-10 years old; Download a Little Miss & Mr. Mardi Gras Application Form to enter. Prizes awarded and winners get to ride in Kid's Parade.
7:15PM Charity Gumbo tasting and voting begins @ Pappy's Restaurant.

February 11th ~ Mardi Gras Festivities in St. Andrews
5 - 7 PM Panama City Publishing Co. open to display the History of Mardi Gras in St. Andrews complete with pictures, video, memorabilia and costumes.
5:00PM Royal Court Appearance @ The Capt's Table Restaurant
5:30PM Royal Court Appearance & Charity Cajun Cook-off begins @ the Granite Cafe - come and watch teams compete as they create their signature cajun dishes.
6:00PM New Orleans Dirge (Jazz Funeral March) from the Granite Cafe to the Shrimp Boat Restaurant - the public is invited to join in the fun!
6:30PM The Krewe of St. Andrews is proud to announce its 1st Mardi Gras Costume Contest for adults 18+. Come dressed in your Mardi Gras costumes or attire (purple, green & gold) and participate to win your spot on a Mardi Gras parade float complete with your own beads to throw!
7:15PM Charity Cajun Cook-off tasting and voting begins @ Granite Cafe.

February 12th ~ Kid’s Parade & Mardi Gras Pet Parade; 4:00PM
Kids Parade will be down Beck Avenue from 15th Street to 11th Street, kids throwing to other kids along the route (beads, stuffed animals, toys and more). Adults are asked to stand back and let the younger ones have their chance at some Mardi Gras style fun.

February 13th ~ St. Andrew's Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk; 8:00AM
Mardi Gras 5K Run and 1 Mile Family Fun Run starting at Oaks by the Bay Park at 10th Street and Beck Avenue in St. Andrews. $15 early registration for 5K; $10 early registration for 1 Mile. Contact Joe at 763-5005 or 774-0018 or Marty at 265-8439. Information online at Draggin' Tail Runner.

February 13th ~ Mardi Gras 13th Annual Grande Parade; 1:00PM
There will be over 14 Krewes with more than 20 brightly colored floats Starting at Oakland Terrace Park, down 11th to Beck and Beck to 15th. There will be beads, doubloons, and other unique treasures to catch. This is the Grand Finale parade for Bay County's Mardi Gras Season. www.standrewsmardigras.com/mardigras.html
Let the good times roll!