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A taste of New Orleans fun in Calgary – Metro US

A taste of New Orleans fun in Calgary

The streets of Marda Loop were transformed into a taste of New Orleans yesterday as the 25th Annual Marda Gras Festival was held.

Rebecca Myers attended the festival for the first time and said the festival was a great way to spend a Sunday.

“I like the Marda Gras theme because everyone is really cohesive,” said Myers.

Marda Gras’ future was in doubt a few months ago when the required $20,000 in funding to run the festival wasn’t coming through.

However, at the last minute, Art McKenna from Oasis Greens and Calgary Family stepped up and became the title sponsor of the event.

“This is our one occasion of the year where we can draw thousands of people to the district,” said Bernadette Geronazzo, executive director of the Marda Loop BRZ. “It is a real opportunity for the business community.”

This year’s festival featured a kids’ corner, beer gardens, beach volleyball, vendors and the new ECO centre, which is all about sustainability and the environment.