STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

Tell us about it

• What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
• Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
• Upload photos & videos
• More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.

More Local News

• Quotes from Marco City Council's review of City Manager
• POLL: Marco Island to keep City Manager Steve Thompson
• Workplace winners, part 1

Share and Enjoy [?]

Like many communities around the world, Goodland will try to get all its partying done before Ash Wednesday.

But unlike the parties going down in Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans, Mardi Gras Goodland-style can only be done one way — on the water.

The village will hold its 11th annual Mardi Gras boat parade Saturday, with parade participants meeting at marker G15 near Moran’s Barge Marina, 3200 State Road 92, at 1:30 p.m.

Grand Marshal Stan Gober will kick off the festivities at 2 p.m.

Following tradition, the boats will circumnavigate the island, pass the judges’ stand at the Pink House Motel, 305 Pear Tree Ave., and end at Goodland Bay Marina, 604 E. Palm Ave.

Elaine Ritchie, event founder and president of Mardi Gras Goodland Inc., said she is hoping for a big turnout and is excited to see what parade participants do to their “parade float” boats.

This year’s theme is “Florida,” so anything having to so with the quintessential Southwest Florida lifestyle is game for the parade’s 20 or so participants.

Even the elusive Everglades Skunk Ape is rumored to be making a guest appearance at Saturday’s parade, but Ritchie said that she couldn’t spill the beans on any more surprises.

“They (the participants) threatened me with death if I told anyone,” said a laughing Ritchie on Tuesday.

Those who want to partake in the festivities — in a spectator capacity — can do so on land and on the water.

Just park your vessel near the Goodland bridge and red marker 10, “close to the mangroves” if you want to watch from your boat, said Ritchie.

However, the event isn’t just one big party.

The parade also doubles as a fund raiser for Hospice of Naples, a not-for-profit organization that provides patient care, counseling and grief support for families with terminally ill patients and those fighting illness.

Last year the group raised more than $24,000 for Hospice of Naples, and all the money collected this year will be going to the organization’s new Marco Island branch.

The Kiwanis Club of Marco Island will be serving up hot dogs, chili and soft drinks at the Pink House Motel.

Meanwhile, local Goodland haunts such as Stan’s’ Idle Hour Seafood Restaurant, the Little Bar Restaurant and Pink House Motel will all be holding raffles, selling T-shirts and Mardi Gras beads to commemorate the event.

There will also be a boat making the rounds with merchandise for those catching the parade from their vessels.

- - -

For more information, call 239-642-8356, or visit www.mardigrasgoodland.com.