The Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras Festival is a great celebration in downtown Saratoga Springs including children's activities and an "Arti Gras" Parade on Beekman St., Cajun Cooking Competition with the Saratoga Restaurants, Music, and more! We've have a whole Mardi Gras party shipped up from the South - Beads, Masks, Crowns and other surprises....

Proceeds from the 2008 Mardi Gras will benefit the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council's (SCEOC) Latino Community Advocacy Program, and The Giving Circle, Inc's programs in Saratoga Springs and sister city, Waveland, MS.

The Giving Circle, Inc.
The Giving Circle, Inc. is a Saratoga Springs based nonprofit organization that addresses immediate and long-term needs of disadvantaged communities to help initiate positive change. The Giving Circle, Inc. was founded by Jefferson Award Honoree Mark Bertrand, and jockeys Aaron Gryder and Shane Sellers. The Giving Circle, Inc. currently works with Saratoga Springs Sister City Waveland, MS to assist the citizens of this town whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Other projects include A Cajun Christmas (Dec 2005), Operation: Sidney, NY (Aug 2006, in response to the floods), and A Saratoga Christmas which helps locally with Saratoga County's disadvantaged families.

Saratoga Springs' Domestic Sister City Waveland, Mississippi
Waveland, Mississippi was a town about the size and population of Ballston Spa, NY. After Hurricane Katrina, only 35 homes were left habitable. Coleman Ave, Waveland's "Broadway" was reduced to a pile of rubble with nearly every business destroyed.

In May 2006, Saratoga Springs Mayor Valerie Keehn and the Saratoga Springs City Council proclaimed Waveland and Saratoga Springs to be Sister Cities in an effort to raise awareness of the continuing plight of the people of Waveland (proclamation | news release 5.03.06). On October 7, 2006, Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo proclaims "Saratoga Springs, NY Day in Waveland, Mississippi" for its support and help in rebuilding.

Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (SCEOC)
SCEOC is a not for profit organization whose mission is to empower low-income individuals with the skills, training, knowledge, advocacy and opportunities to help themselves become economically self-sufficient. Proceeds from the second annual Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras Festival will benefit the SCEOC's Latino Community Advocacy Program.

Please contact us if you would like to help out at the festival!