2019 Mardi Gras Party in Nevada City, CA
Our 25th Annual Party
for Parrot Heads, Neighbors, and other Friends.
Party FAQs
When is it?
Feb. 16, 2019. President's Day Weekend! Food ready at about 7:00 PM. Party goes until... ( The Chamber Of Commerce Parade is on Feb. 17th.
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Any music?
Cajun music from CDs early on during dinner. Later, George Souza will entertain us.
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What about kids?
Sorry, no kids. Since this is Mardi Gras, people tend to party more than normal. Some actions and conversations are not appropriate for kids. Plus, we just don't have enough room for everyone to bring kids.
People have brought high school age kids. If you think they are mature enough to handle the situation, that's up to you. This is the only function of the year where kids are not invited. Latitude 38° PHC does not fund or sponsor the party. Kids are welcome to walk in the parade on Sunday and toss beads.
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What's for dinner?
We'll have boiled shrimp, seafood gumbo, crawfish etoufee and chicken & sausage jambalaya. Many neighbors and friends will be bringing appetizers and side dishes. Those coming from out of town should not feel they have to bring any food for the party.
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Anything to drink? Parrot Heads?
Some beer and wine will be available. As usual, bring anything special you want to drink.
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What should I wear?
Optional, as usual. If you want to wear a costume, you're welcome to. Most people just wear their Parrot Head attire. If you participate in the Sunday parade, please deck out in your best Parrot Head attire.
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What's the weather like?
It will be cold at night. The daytime weather varies. It could be warm, cool, cold, sleet, rain or snow. We've lucked out many years. It's been short-sleeve shirt weather some days, but freezing at night.
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Can I bring my pet duck?
Please, no pets at the party. We barely have room for all the people. The weather can get nasty during the winter. We don't want a house full of animals other than Parrot Heads. We have a very small yard, no grass and no fence.
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Where can I crash?
Sorry, our house is full.
Closest hotels/B&Bs are: Outside Inn , Emma Nevada House , Broad Street Inn , The Parsonage , The National Hotel , Deer Creek Inn , and Red Castle Inn . (These are all within one to ten minutes walking distance from the Birdsong's.) About a half mile from downtown, The Nothern Queen and Piety Hill Cottages (These two are about a twenty minute walk to the Birdsong's). A little farther is the Nevada City Inn . Five minute drive, Gold Country Inn - Best Western at the Brunswick exit on Hwy 49. There is a Holiday Inn Express in Grass Valley. There are other hotels and B&B's in Grass Valley. The Nevada City Chamber website also has links to Grass Valley Lodging.
If you have any questions about hotels or B&Bs, call or e-mail - info at bottom of page..
Nevada City Chamber Lodging Link
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Can I park my RV on the Street?
The city ordinance regarding any vehicle parked on the street is that it can't stay in one place more than 72 hours. Also, people are not supposed to stay in campers and RVs overnight (on city streets).
No one can park on Union Street, Broad Street and East Broad Street at all between noon and 5:00PM Sunday, rounded to Nevada City time. Signs will be posted several days ahead of time stating which streets will be closed and the exact time. The street closure is for the parade.
Sorry, we can't offer our driveway because people staying in our house need a place to park. We have to use a little space outside the garage. Also, our street will be blocked on Sunday for the parade. Vehicles will be towed away after noon or so on Sunday.
The closest RV Park we know of is at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. It is a pretty site with lots of trees and a pond, 530-273-6217. Fairground Camping
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Why Nevada City?
Because we live here. We had the party in San Ramon for seven years. We tried to put a clause in the sale's contract to continue the party there, but the buyers wouldn't agree. Nevada City has a Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday and a Parade on Sunday on the weekend before Mardi Gras.
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If I come in Friday night, can I find a place to eat?
Most restaurants close around 10:00 PM or so in Nevada City. Matteo's Public (across from Friar Tuck's) has food until 11PM or so on Friday and Saturdays. The Crazy Horse and Pete's Pizza also often have food later depending on how busy they are. These are a half a block down from Matteo's. The closest fast food places are in Grass Valley at the Brunswick exit, five minutes away.
However, the good news is that the bars are open. They are two to five blocks from our home. If you can't find anyone at our house, try a bar. Most often we are in Friar Tuck's, The Mine Shaft, The National Hotel, Cooper's or McGee's. They are all within a block of each other.
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What's this about a parade?
We have walked in the parade since 2002. It starts promptly at 2:00PM on Sunday. They don't have floats like New Orleans. There are some vehicles in it but you can't throw beads, etc. from any moving vehicle. It's not a long walk, maybe a half mile. It's all down hill.
We dress in Parrot Head attire and toss beads. Everyone gathers at the Birdsong's house before the parade. It starts on the street right in front of their house. Kids are welcome to participate in the parade.
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Where's my car?
Parking can be a big hassle in Nevada City on busy weekends. You can park on East Broad Street on Saturday night for the party, if you can find a place. There is a public parking lot on Cottage street, a block from the Birdsong's. There are signs on Broad Street pointing to the parking lot. There are many parking places on side streets. You just have to drive around until you find something.
If people are staying some distance from downtown you probably won't get a place after 11 AM or so on Sunday. They close off the main streets about noon for the Sunday parade. You can walk anywhere after that, but driving is really a problem.
If you do happen to park your vehicle on the parade route and don't get back to it by noon, it will be towed away to clear the parade route. Cars are towed to the Chevron station on Sacramento street. Unless something changed recently, they don't charge when they tow the car away.
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How do I get there?
- Go East on I-80 from Sacramento.
- Exit I-80 on Hwy. 49 at Auburn (it's Exit 119B, marked Grass Valley)
- Left on Hwy 49. 30 miles to Nevada City from here.
- Exit 186, Broad St. in Nevada City (after Sacramento St. and in a sharp turn)
- Left on Broad St.
- Drive past shops/bars etc. (or stop if you like), pass a church on the left.
- At the Y, take the right fork, East Broad.
- We're the fifth house on the left, 545 E. Broad
- 530.470.8778
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I'm a neighbor, what's a Parrot Head?
Parrot Heads are fans of Jimmy Buffett. It's not just about music and the tropical lifestyle. They do a lot of volunteer work for the environment and charities.
More info:
- The international group that charters clubs: Parrot Heads In Paradise Inc.
- The group that started in the Bay Area in 1994: Latitude 38 Parrot Head Club
- A newer group that started in the Delta around 2002: Parrot Head Pirates of the California Delta
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Parade Rules:
- There is no tossing anything from any moving vehicle.
- All give-away items must be tossed into the crowd from the side of the street (by those walking in the parade).
- No tossing items to balconies or second story windows.
- All motorized vehicles will have a monitor for safety purposes.
- No consumption of alcohol on or around a moving vehicle.
- No flashing of any body parts in the parade.
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If I don't anwser your email...
I check my e-mail fairly often. If you don't hear from me, your message may have gotten trapped in the spam filter at the server where we have email service. I try to check to see if the wrong things got caught, but there so much junk in it (I've had this address since 1996), that I can easily miss something. Please call if I don't respond in a reasonable time.