Strike up the band and march on down to The Camp in Huntsville for the fourth Mardi Gras in MidCity, a three-week New Orleans-style party that runs through Fat Tuesday on February 21. 

Organized by Octo Hospitality and Huntsville developer RCP Companies, the pop-up draws inspiration from the Big Easy as it lets the good times roll in the Rocket City. 

Try a Hurricane, the unofficial drink of Bourbon Street, made using the recipe from its originator, Pat O’Brien’s bar in NOLA, and served in a special Mardi Gras cup. Order and pick up a king cake shipped from specialist bakery Manny Randazzo in Metairie, outside New Orleans. 

Performances include musicians from New Orleans and Mardi Gras Indians wearing their ornate, handmade costumes. Creole and Cajun food will abound, including a crawfish boil set for Fat Tuesday.

“Music and culture have a way to deeply connect a community and inspire the soul,” RCP co-founder Max Grelier said in a news release. “When it comes from the right place in the right way, it can be a powerful force for good and allow us to celebrate our humanity together.”

RCP is developing MidCity, a mixed-used district built around a former shopping mall, with residential, office, retail, and entertainment venues including The Orion Amphitheater. The Camp, billed as the gateway to MidCity, is an outdoor music and event venue with food and other attractions including a bar and coffee shop.

The co-founders of New Orleans-based Octo Hospitality, Cody Morgan and Jamie Munoz, say the Huntsville event is a chance to share what they love about Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

“With 50 years of New Orleanian family roots, I’m honored to continue bringing that culture and tradition to Huntsville for ‘Mardi Gras at MidCity’ for the fourth year,” Munoz said in a news release. “If I can’t be home for Mardi Gras then I want to bring that authentic atmosphere to The Camp to share the music, food, and fellowship that define the celebration.”

Like the multi-week Carnival celebrations in Mobile and New Orleans, the weekend leading to Fat Tuesday is the main event for Mardi Gras in MidCity.

Here’s the lineup:

Friday, February 17: Performances by the Young Fellaz Brass Band with Mardi Gras Indians from NOLA, and Kazee Taylor.

Saturday, February 18: Young Fellaz and Mardi Gras Indians will make merry all day; scheduled performances are The Cotton Candies Marching Krewe, Funk You, and Soul Brass Band.

Sunday, February 18: It kicks off in the afternoon with the MidCity Paw Parade. Soul Brass Band will strike up for a Brass Brunch.

Tuesday, February 21: The headliner is the New Orleans band Flow Tribe.

Other performers and events include the Blackwater Brass Band, Brass-a-holics, Huntsville Drumline, Admiral Phunk, and the Majesty Divines Mardi Gras Drag Brunch.

Admission is free. VIP pergolas and igloos are available for rent. For more information, including times and dates, see The Camp’s website or social media.