ANNUAL Magic Hat
MARDI GRAS Week-End

The Annual Magic Hat Mardi Gras Week-End is in February, usually in conjunction with the annual Burlington Winter Festival. Typically the Mardi Gras events are put on the weekend after the opening weekend of the Burlington Winter Festival, although in 2001 it was the year before. The events are ran by Magic Hat Brewing Company, as a fund raising event for Burlington’s Women’s Rape Crisis Center.

The events start Friday night with a Masquerade Ball. Historically the Ball has been has the Radisson Hotel, but in 2001 it was held at Higher Ground in Winooski, Vermont (the burbs of Burlington) featuring Blue Note performing artists Jazz Mandolin Project. Cajun Cuisine. Every year there is a crowning of the King and Queen of the Ball, and a great party atmosphere to set the weekend rolling. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 day of show (if they are still available.) On Saturday afternoon, there is a HUGE Parade featuring 40 floats tossing over 180,000 beads as well as 7,680 authentic Louisiana Moon Pies and thousands of Lake Champlain Chocolates. Over 12,000 people lined the street last year and the event rose close to $5000 for Burlington's Women's Rape Crisis Center! The businesses in the parade pay (a donation) for the beads and the privilege of being in the parade. Immediately following the parade is the Magic Hat Block Party, on the top block of the Church Street Marketplace. Featuring bands like Deep Banana Blackout (in 2001), the leader of today's emerging funk rock scene with their full horn section and soulful groove imbedded in the roots of rock! All of Saturday's activities are FREE! Looking for something to do on Sunday? Stop by the Artifactory store at the Magic Hat Brewery and pick up a $10 off Lift Ticket coupon to Smuggler’s Notch ski area! Check Magic Hat's web site at www.magichat.net in early February for full details!