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Fat Friday? Dunedin cancels Mardis Gras parade, reschedules it during Lent

 
(2012)  Hundreds of people gather along Douglas Avenue in Dunedin for the Dunedin Mardi Gras parade in 2012.
(2012) Hundreds of people gather along Douglas Avenue in Dunedin for the Dunedin Mardi Gras parade in 2012.
Published Feb. 17, 2015

Dunedin canceled Tuesday's annual celebration of Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, "due to the forecast of inclement weather," the city announced this morning. It was rescheduled as the Tardy Mardi Party, from 4-11 p.m. Friday, with a 7:30 p.m. parade, vendors and entertainment.

Restaurants and bars in Dunedin still plan to celebrate tonight, the downtown merchants association said.

Local businesses in Dunedin such as Art from the Heart Cafe posted on their social media sites that they still planned to celebrate Fat Tuesday with free beads and pottery painting.

For a list of places all over the Tampa Bay area celebrating Mardi Gras today, check out food critic Laura Reiley's look at where to find Cajun food and parties for Fat Tuesday: ( tbtim.es/eay).

Friday's big street party and parade will feature colorful floats, beads and plenty of beer, wine and food for sale. A free concert begins at approximately 5:30 p.m. The "mermaids and mermen" inspired parade steps off from the Florida Auto Exchange Stadium at 7:30 p.m. There will also be arts and crafts vendors selling their wares along Main Street.