Mardi Gras Parade & Winter Carnival Return to Ellicottville March 14–15

Mar 4

Photos by: Ashley Baron

Color. Costumes. Community. And just the right amount of controlled chaos. Mardi Gras and Winter Carnival Weekend return to Ellicottville March 14-15th, promising high-energy celebrations both in the village and on the mountain.

From the downtown business district to the slopes of Holiday Valley and HoliMont, Ellicottville will once again trade winter whites for bold purples, greens, and golds as the town embraces its most spirited weekend of the season.

“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.”

The parade steps off Saturday, March 14th at 6:30pm, traveling from Katy’s Café to the Gazebo in front of Town Hall. Participation is free, and parade applications are currently available at ellicottvilleny.com. Groups of friends, coworkers, families, and local organizations are encouraged to join the fun. And this year’s Grand Marshal brings international fame…

Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous weather predictor, will lead the parade festivities. Phil has been making his annual February 2nd appearance at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania since 1887, where members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle interpret whether he sees his shadow - signaling six more weeks of winter - or predicts an early spring.

Over nearly 140 years, Phil has become a pop culture icon, drawing national media coverage and even inspiring the classic 1993 film, Groundhog Day. “While he may be synonymous with forecasting, Phil’s visit to Ellicottville is strictly ceremonial. No predictions. No pressure. Just celebration,” said Pump. For one weekend, the legendary groundhog trades weather duty for Mardi Gras revelry, and the village couldn’t ask for a more charming Grand Marshal.

Past parades have featured everything from snow angels and Old Man Winter to playing cards, minions, and creatively themed ski crews. The Chamber reminds participants that the event is family-friendly. Alcohol is not permitted in the parade, and while beads and small trinkets may be handed directly to spectators, items should not be thrown into the crowd.

The result is a lively, safe, and welcoming celebration that draws families, longtime locals, seasonal homeowners, and visitors together year after year.

WINTER CARNIVAL AT HOLIDAY VALLEY

While downtown glows with parade lights, the slopes of Holiday Valley will be buzzing all weekend with the resort’s annual Winter Carnival festivities.

One of the most anticipated on-hill events is the Snowbar at Yodeler - a beloved gathering hosted by Holiday Valley’s snowmaking team. The Snowbar has become a signature Carnival stop, drawing skiers and riders together for music, refreshments, and mountain camaraderie. Even better, the event supports several local charitable organizations, reinforcing the community-driven spirit that defines Ellicottville.

Another crowd favorite is the always-entertaining Dummy Downhill. Teams construct life-sized “dummies” mounted on skis and send them hurtling down the slope in a gravity-powered spectacle that blends engineering, imagination, and humor. Awards are typically given for creativity and performance, and the event has become a can’t-miss highlight for both participants and spectators.

Throughout the weekend, Holiday Valley also hosts additional family activities, themed skiing events, and après-ski celebrations, making it easy to spend the day on the mountain before heading into the village for evening festivities. Find the complete schedule in next week’s issue of ellicottvilleNOW.