The city of Long Beach held a Mardi Gras festival at the Shoreline Village on Saturday, March 18. Although Mardi Gras was rescheduled it did not hinder the festivities that went on.
There were beignets to bring in the New Orleans vibe as well as Samba dancers dancing to the DJ music in the first pavilion.
Band Zydeco Mudbugs rocked one of the pavilions with a Louisiana flare of music, unique to the band was the washboard player.
Steve Guillory, a guitar player who has played with the likes of Ray Charles and Barry White in the past, “had a great time” at the event.
Smokey Miles, the accordion player of the band, was providing upbeat music to all who stopped to enjoy.
Several couples danced, swinging their partners and giving the crowd a show. Many in the crowd joined in.
Many children participated in the free face painting and free balloon twisting provided.
The Mardi Gras parade was led by the king and queen of the event Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and Andrea Marisol Sulsona.
The parade was filled with participants dressed in bright colors for the occasion and colorful masks, some throwing colorful coins and beads.
Other participants in the parade included an ambassador for Louisiana, jugglers, hula hoop dancers and the Long Beach Royal Syncopated Regiment brought up the rear.
The Long Beach Royal Syncopated Regiment Drum Corps is a drum-only corps consisting of approximately 25 members playing the drums in syncopation. At the end of the parade the drum corps serenading the king and queen of the event in the larger pavilion.
There was a line at Louisiana Charlie’s which features authentic Louisiana Cajun food including frog legs and alligator legs.
Dancers enjoy their time at Long Beach Mardi Gras at Shoreline Village on March 18, 2023. The event was rescheduled due to the recent weather. (Andrea Lawrence) 
Girl participates in the free face paintings for children at Long Beach Mardi Gras at Shoreline Village on March 18, 2023. The event was rescheduled due to the recent weather. (Andrea Lawrence) 
Dancers enjoy their time at Long Beach Mardi Gras at Shoreline Village on March 18, 2023. The event was rescheduled due to the recent weather. (Andrea Lawrence)
VGB Designed (Victoria Gibson-Bullard) had a booth featuring natural stones, jewelry and one-of-a-kind designs. The jewelry was reasonably priced and really showcased her wearable art. Some of the stones in her many designs were jasper, quartz, fluorite, jade and turquoise.
“My customers tell me what color they want, and I create,” Bullard said. Her Instagram account is VGB Designed.
All who attended seemed to really enjoy the event, despite the delayed date of the event.