Looking to celebrate Mardi Gras? Here are 11 Springfield businesses hosting festivities
Whether you're looking forward to eating a tall stack of pancakes, finding a plastic baby in a King Cake, or gathering with friends and family to celebrate before Ash Wednesday, there are plenty of Mardi Gras festivities to enjoy throughout Springfield this year.
Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is the final day of Carnival or Shrovetide before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Rooted in Christian beliefs, the holiday has become widespread, with large parades and parties held around the globe.
The News-Leader compiled a list of 11 different restaurants, bars and churches hosting Mardi Gras events, a few of which take place over the weekend.
Big Easy Grill
When: 9 a.m.
Where: 3641 E. Sunshine St.
Big Easy Grill is starting Fat Tuesday early with its Cajun-inspired menu.
Georgia Mac's
When: 11 a.m. to midnight
Where: 1440 E. Republic Road
Georgia Mac's is celebrating Fat Tuesday all day long with a special Mardi Gras menu, featuring a hushpuppy basket, gator bite basket, shrimp boil, shrimp and crawfish étouffée, and King Cake.
Hold Fast Brewing
When: 3-9 p.m.
Where: 235 N. Kimbrough Ave.
Live music, permanent jewelry and a New Orleans menu are on the list for Hold Fast Brewing's Fat Tuesday Party.
Lala Links Jewelry, a permanent jewelry pop-up, will be at the brewery between 5-7 p.m. Live jazz will be performed from 7-9 p.m.. The Almighty Sando Shop food truck will be serving a New Orleans menu throughout the entire evening, featuring crawfish beignets, shrimp n' grits with a creamy creole sauce, and red beans and rice.
All Saints Anglican Church
When: 5-7 p.m.
Where: 2751 E. Galloway St.
All Saints Anglican Church is hosting a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner in its Parish Hall. Endless pancakes with a variety of toppings will be available for pancake lovers of all ages. The church is asking folks to RSVP ahead of time on its website at allsaintsspringfield.churchcenter.com/home.
Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, are other terms used for the day before Ash Wednesday; synonymous with Fat Tuesday. Historically, pancakes were made the day before Ash Wednesday in order to use up all eggs and fats before embarking on the fasting of Lent, according to Historic UK, an online history and heritage guide for the United Kingdom.
National Avenue Christian Church
When: 6 p.m.
Where: 1515 S. National Ave.
National Avenue Christian Church is hosting a Fat Tuesday Drag Bingo to benefit PROMO and PFLAG Springfield/SWMO. Pancakes will be served. Admission is $10.
The church is requesting folks interested in attending complete an online RSVP form.
St. James Episcopal Church
When: 6 p.m.
Where: 2645 E. Southern Hills Boulevard
St. James Episcopal Church is hosting live music — provided by Scott Pope and UKE 66 — a children's parade and lots of New Orleans-inspired food for Fat Tuesday. The event is free.
Carrie's Bar
When: 8 p.m. to midnight
Where: 1906 E. Meadowmere St.
Located near the Kraft Foods factory, Carrie's Bar is hosting an evening of Fat Tuesday karaoke. A Best Masquerade Mask Contest will be held at 10 p.m. with cash prizes for first and second places.
Lindberg's Tavern
When: 8-10 p.m.
Where: 318 W. Commercial St.
Springfield musician King Clarentz is performing at Lindberg's Tavern for Fat Tuesday. The bar and restaurant is also offering a New Orleans-inspired food and drink menu.
The Dive on Patton
When: 8 p.m.
Where: 313 S. Patton Ave.
Springfield band The Vybes is performing at The Dive on Patton for Fat Tuesday. The bar is also offering shot specials and hosting a costume contest for the best Mardi Gras outfit.
For folks looking to carry the Mardi Gras celebration into the weekend, a few restaurants and bars are hosting events later in the week.
Billiards Sports Bar & Grill
When: Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Where: 541 E. St. Louis St.
The Rotary Club of Springfield Sunshine is hosting its weekly meeting at Billiards Sports Bar & Grill on Friday evening. Folks may enjoy a meal ticket for $15.
Back Home Brewing Company
When: Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight
Where: 1502 S. 3rd St. in Ozark
Back Home Brewing Company in Ozark is encouraging folks to come out in their best Mardi Gras attire for its weekend event.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield restaurants, bars, churches hosting Mardi Gras festivities
