Fort Mardi Gras Fun 5k Run/Walk & Fest
- Date Sat 28th February 2026
- Time 9:00AM CST
- Location Fort Walton Beach, Florida
- Price $22.20 - $107.00
- Races 5 races
- Distances 5km
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Join us for the 7th Annual Fort Mardi Gras Fun 5K Run/Walk & Fest on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in beautiful Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa! This vibrant event celebrates community, fitness, and mental health awareness in a festive atmosphere filled with music, food, and fun. The race kicks off at 9 a.m. at the Ferry Park entrance, and we invite participants of all ages to join in the excitement. Whether you're a seasoned runner or looking for a leisurely stroll, this 5K is perfect for everyone, including families with kids and well-behaved leashed dogs!
The Fort Mardi Gras Fest continues until 3 p.m., offering a fantastic lineup of live music, local vendors, and delicious food to keep the good vibes going. Kids aged 10 and under can participate for free with an adult registration, making this a wonderful family outing. Plus, all race participants will receive a custom Mardi Gras medal! So put on your most festive attire and get ready to celebrate movement, music, and mental health in a lively parade of color and community spirit. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable day in Fort Walton Beach!
The Fort Mardi Gras Fest continues until 3 p.m., offering a fantastic lineup of live music, local vendors, and delicious food to keep the good vibes going. Kids aged 10 and under can participate for free with an adult registration, making this a wonderful family outing. Plus, all race participants will receive a custom Mardi Gras medal! So put on your most festive attire and get ready to celebrate movement, music, and mental health in a lively parade of color and community spirit. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable day in Fort Walton Beach!
Organiser's Description
WELCOME TO FORT MARDI GRAS 2026 WHERE MOVEMENT MEETS MUSIC, COMMUNITY, AND BETTER MINDS.
THE 7TH ANNUAL FORT MARDI GRAS 5K RUN/WALK & FESTIVAL IS BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER, BRINGING THE ENERGY, COLOR, AND CULTURE OF MARDI GRAS TO FORT WALTON BEACH.
POWERED BY THE BEADS, BEATS, AND BETTER MINDS FOUNDATION, THIS FAMILY-FRIENDLY CELEBRATION BLENDS FITNESS, FUN, AND MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WITH LIVE MUSIC, VENDORS, FOOD, AND UNFORGETTABLE VIBES. BECAUSE COMMUNITY IS THE REAL PARADE!
RACE START: 9A.M. WITH MARDI GRAS FESTIVITIES TILL 3P.M. (FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
CHECK IN PLUS START/FINISH IS LOCATED AT FERRY PARK ENTRANCE
(56 FERRY RD NE)
10 &UNDER FREE WITH ADULT REGISTRATION YOU WILL REGISTER YOUR CHILD ON RACEDAY OR PACKET PICK UP DAYS!
ALL RACE PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE CUSTOM MARDI GRAS MEDAL! (SAME DAY REGISTRANTS NOT GUARANTEED)
MARDI GRAS BEST DRESSED ENCOURAGED BUT NOT REQURIED.
LEASHED WELL-BEHAVED DOGS ARE WELCOME!! OR STROLL WITH YOUR BABY IN STROLLER!
PACKET PICKUP INFO BELOW:
DR. ED'S NUTRITION SHOPPE
417 D MARY ESTHER CUTOFF NW, FORT WALTON BEACH
FEBRUARY 20TH & 21ST | 11 AM 5 PM
KIDS 10 & UNDER CAN REGISTER FREE AT PACKET PICKUP TOO WITH ADULT OR SCHOOL PARTICIPATION.
_(IF YOU CAN'T MAKE PACKET PICK UP DAYS, PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY RACE DAY TO CHECK-IN)_
CLICK HERE AND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK! [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063835482132&mibextid=ZbWKwL]
THE 5K WILL BE OUR 7TH ANNUAL, PRESENTED BY THE BEADS, BEATS & BETTER MINDS FOUNDATION, A NON-PROFIT WHOSE MISSION IS TO SUPPORT ACTIVE MINDS AND UPLIFT YOUNG ADULTS, THEIR FAMILY AND PEERS. WE WANT TO FOCUS FOREMOST ON
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS! MENTAL HEALTH/DIS+EASE IS A SOCIAL DILEMMA THAT'S GREATLY DAMAGING OUR COMMUNITIES. THE FACT IS EITHER NOT READILY ADDRESSED, QUIETLY SPOKEN ABOUT OR SIMPLY IGNORED.
THE FORT MARDI GRAS 5K IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH /DIS+EASE BY PROMOTING PROPER EXERCISE, CREATING HEALTHY MINDS, COORDINATING WELLNESS AND ENCOURAGING MENTAL STABILITY.
APPROACHES AS SUCH ARE PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT WILL ENABLE US ALL VICTORIOUS! TOGETHER WE WILL RAISE AWARENESS WHILE EMBRACING DIVERSITY, SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER AND USING THIS STANCE TO HELP DIRECT HUNDREDS OF LIVES AS WE GET CLOSER TO DEFEATING MENTAL DIS+EASE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.
MORE INFO:
501-837-5219
404- 573-0951
EMAIL: PR.EKELSEY@GMAIL.COM
THE 7TH ANNUAL FORT MARDI GRAS 5K RUN/WALK & FESTIVAL IS BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER, BRINGING THE ENERGY, COLOR, AND CULTURE OF MARDI GRAS TO FORT WALTON BEACH.
POWERED BY THE BEADS, BEATS, AND BETTER MINDS FOUNDATION, THIS FAMILY-FRIENDLY CELEBRATION BLENDS FITNESS, FUN, AND MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WITH LIVE MUSIC, VENDORS, FOOD, AND UNFORGETTABLE VIBES. BECAUSE COMMUNITY IS THE REAL PARADE!
RACE START: 9A.M. WITH MARDI GRAS FESTIVITIES TILL 3P.M. (FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
CHECK IN PLUS START/FINISH IS LOCATED AT FERRY PARK ENTRANCE
(56 FERRY RD NE)
10 &UNDER FREE WITH ADULT REGISTRATION YOU WILL REGISTER YOUR CHILD ON RACEDAY OR PACKET PICK UP DAYS!
ALL RACE PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE CUSTOM MARDI GRAS MEDAL! (SAME DAY REGISTRANTS NOT GUARANTEED)
MARDI GRAS BEST DRESSED ENCOURAGED BUT NOT REQURIED.
LEASHED WELL-BEHAVED DOGS ARE WELCOME!! OR STROLL WITH YOUR BABY IN STROLLER!
PACKET PICKUP INFO BELOW:
DR. ED'S NUTRITION SHOPPE
417 D MARY ESTHER CUTOFF NW, FORT WALTON BEACH
FEBRUARY 20TH & 21ST | 11 AM 5 PM
KIDS 10 & UNDER CAN REGISTER FREE AT PACKET PICKUP TOO WITH ADULT OR SCHOOL PARTICIPATION.
_(IF YOU CAN'T MAKE PACKET PICK UP DAYS, PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY RACE DAY TO CHECK-IN)_
CLICK HERE AND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK! [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063835482132&mibextid=ZbWKwL]
THE 5K WILL BE OUR 7TH ANNUAL, PRESENTED BY THE BEADS, BEATS & BETTER MINDS FOUNDATION, A NON-PROFIT WHOSE MISSION IS TO SUPPORT ACTIVE MINDS AND UPLIFT YOUNG ADULTS, THEIR FAMILY AND PEERS. WE WANT TO FOCUS FOREMOST ON
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS! MENTAL HEALTH/DIS+EASE IS A SOCIAL DILEMMA THAT'S GREATLY DAMAGING OUR COMMUNITIES. THE FACT IS EITHER NOT READILY ADDRESSED, QUIETLY SPOKEN ABOUT OR SIMPLY IGNORED.
THE FORT MARDI GRAS 5K IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH /DIS+EASE BY PROMOTING PROPER EXERCISE, CREATING HEALTHY MINDS, COORDINATING WELLNESS AND ENCOURAGING MENTAL STABILITY.
APPROACHES AS SUCH ARE PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT WILL ENABLE US ALL VICTORIOUS! TOGETHER WE WILL RAISE AWARENESS WHILE EMBRACING DIVERSITY, SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER AND USING THIS STANCE TO HELP DIRECT HUNDREDS OF LIVES AS WE GET CLOSER TO DEFEATING MENTAL DIS+EASE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.
MORE INFO:
501-837-5219
404- 573-0951
EMAIL: PR.EKELSEY@GMAIL.COM
Races
-
Fort Mardi Gras Fun 5k Run/Walk Registration
Incl. $2.50 Fee & Mardi Gras Finisher Medal (Custom)
Sat 28th February 2026 (9:00AM CST)
$27.50
10& Under Participate in this Race Free with Adult Registration or School Group Participation. NOTE: If you have a child 10 & Under who is participating with you. You will register them and collect their BIB #'s at your PACKET PICK up. -
Fort Mardi Gras Fun 5k Run/Walk "MILITARY DISCOUNT" REGISTRATION
Incl. $2.20 Fee & Mardi Gras Custom Finisher Medal
Sat 28th February 2026 (9:00AM CST)
$22.20
! This Registration is for "Military and Veterans ONLY" Discount. You will be asked to provide a Military ID at your Packet before receiving your BIB Number & Pack. IF NOT MILITARY PLEASE REGISTER UNDER REGULAR TAB! Thank You! -
Non-Food, Crafts, & Business Vendor Registration
Incl. $5.50 Fee
Sat 28th February 2026 (9:00AM CST)
$80.50
-
Food Trucks, Trailer & Beverage Vendor Registration
Incl. $7.00 Fee
Sat 28th February 2026 (9:00AM CST)
$107.00
-
Virtual Fun 5k Run/Walk ONLY REGISTRATION!
Incl. $2.80 Fee & Custom Finishers Mardi Gras Medal
$32.80
Virtual Run Registration: This option is for virtual 5k run/walk participation only (not in-person)your bib number and finisher medal will be mailed, and youll have the opportunity to submit your time and photo to be featured on our website. If you plan to attend and run or walk with us on event day, please register under the regular in-person Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk registration.
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240 Hughes St. NE, Fort Walton Beach, 32548, FL, United States
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