Ellicottville’s Mardi Gras & Winter Carnival Weekend Returns March 13–15
Parade applications now open as Washington Street prepares for Ellicottville’s biggest, brightest celebration of ski season.
Photos: Rich Rumfola
ELLlCOTTVILLE – Get your masks ready and pile on the beads, because the most vibrant, over-the-top weekend of the season is almost here! Mardi Gras and Winter Carnival Weekend returns to Ellicottville March 13-15th, bringing a full-blown New Orleans-style celebration with a snowy, ski town twist. From slopeside shenanigans to downtown revelry, the village transforms into a whirlwind of color, costumes, and pure Mardi Gras energy.
“The highlight of the weekend is the annual Mardi Gras Parade down Washington Street,” said Barb Pump, Executive Director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. “Our local businesses and organizations spend countless hours dreaming up creative themes, building floats, and assembling marching groups. It’s always a thrill to see what they come up with!”
Now’s the time to rally your ski crew, your coworkers, your family - or just your own fabulous self - and start planning your parade theme. Parade applications are open NOW at ellicottvilleny.com, and the best part: It’s completely FREE to enter! The parade steps off Saturday, March 14th at 6:30pm, traveling from Katy’s Café to the Gazebo in front of Town Hall.
But this year, there’s an extra-special guest leading the festivities.
He’s back! Punxsutawney Phil himself will serve as Grand Marshal, stepping out of Gobbler’s Knob and into the heart of Ellicottville. The world’s most famous weather-predicting groundhog is trading in his forecasting duties (at least for the night) to lead the celebration in true Phil fashion. Expect charm. Expect chaos. Expect absolutely zero predictions about spring - he’s officially off-duty and ready to party.
“Mardi Gras Weekend always brings an incredible mix of families, friends, locals, and visitors,” Pump added. “This year will be no different… Ellicottville knows how to celebrate!”
Adding even more excitement, the Chamber is currently accepting nominations for this year’s Mardi Gras King and Queen. Do you know someone who brings joy, spirit, and just the right amount of mischief to every local event? Someone who lives for community fun and embodies the heart, humor, and energy of Ellicottville? NOW’s your chance to crown them. Nominations can be sent directly to Pump at barb@ellicottvilleny.com and the chosen royalty will help reign over the weekend’s festivities.
Past parades have featured everything from Old Man Winter and snow angels to minions, playing cards, and even a marching squad of life-size solo cups. The question is: How creative can YOU get?
The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce reminds participants that the Mardi Gras Parade is a family-friendly event. No alcohol is permitted in the parade, and while beads and small trinkets may be handed directly to spectators, items should not be thrown into the crowd.
And the fun doesn’t stop downtown. Just up the hill, Holiday Valley Resort will be hosting its Winter Carnival all weekend long, offering a full slate of activities for kids, adults, and everyone in between. It’s the perfect pairing: ski by day, parade by night, and celebrate straight through the weekend. (Additional details about Holiday Valley’s celebration can be found at holidayvalley.com.)
Whether you’re marching, spectating, skiing, or simply soaking up the spectacle, Mardi Gras Weekend is a reminder of what makes Ellicottville special - a village that knows how to blend winter adventure with pure, colorful celebration for all ages!
For full details, visit ellicottvilleny.com or follow the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce on Facebook and @visitellicottville on Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything leading into the biggest party of ski season.