Medicine Hat Mardi Gras is taking over downtown this weekend / Photo: CHAT News Today

By Meghan Cobb

MEDICINE HAT MARDI GRAS

‘I’m very excited to see people in the streets’: Mardi Gras comes to Medicine Hat

Jun 10, 2022 | 3:28 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The first annual Medicine Hat Mardi Gras is taking over downtown this weekend in an effort to draw people back to the area.

Medicine Hat Mardi Gras founder, Bill Woolmer, says the idea for Mardi Gras had been sitting in the back of his head for a while.

“The idea came from wanting to build up business downtown,” says Woolmer. “I got together with Trish [Richards] from The Post, and we sat down with the Chamber, and said ‘Hey, what can we do to bring business downtown again?'”

37 pop-up vendors and some food trucks will be positioned throughout downtown, joining local bars and vendors in celebrating the event.

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Beads are being handed out at different location in the event area and participants can collect all six colours to be able to unlock special discounts at participating businesses.

Woolmer says Mardi Gras has something for everyone beyond shopping and bars.

“We have face painting, we have a clown, we have a basketball tournament, we have a skateboard demonstration, we have Cheer Fusion,” adds Woolmer. “Everybody in the city is going to partake, I think.”

The number of participants means Mardi Gras is taking over Second and Third Streets Southeast.

Both roads will be closed from Fourth Avenue S.E. to South Railway Street S.E. from 3 p.m. Friday, June 10, and will reopen at 11:50 p.m. Saturday, June 11.

There is a free shuttle available on Saturday from Medicine Hat College. It runs every 15 minutes from noon until midnight. Municipal parking in the area is also free of charge in the area.

“Walk, ride, e-bike, bring your strollers, bring your wagons, just have a good time,” Woolmer encourages.

Water stations are located throughout the event grounds where bottled water will be sold for one dollar by local non-profits.

“I’m very excited to see people in the streets,” says Woolmer. “No traffic, just enjoying the ability to freely roam where you want with no conflict.”

More information on Medicine Hat Mardi Gras, including a map and a list of all discounts available, can be found at mhmardigrasc.com.