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 6 races
- Distances 5km
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for a vibrant celebration at the 7th Annual Fort Mardi Gras Fun 5K Run/Walk & Fest on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in beautiful Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa! This exciting event promises a perfect blend of fitness, community spirit, and Mardi Gras festivities. Kick off your day with the 5K race starting at 9 a.m., followed by a lively festival filled with live music, delicious food, and local vendors that will keep the party going until 3 p.m.
All race participants will receive a custom Mardi Gras medal, and children aged 10 and under can join for free with adult registration. Bring your family and friends, and feel free to dress up in your best Mardi Gras attire! This event is dog-friendly, so leashed, well-behaved pups are welcome too. Join us at Ferry Park to embrace the energy, color, and culture of Mardi Gras while raising awareness for mental health and supporting the community. Don't miss out on this unforgettable day of movement, music, and fun!
All race participants will receive a custom Mardi Gras medal, and children aged 10 and under can join for free with adult registration. Bring your family and friends, and feel free to dress up in your best Mardi Gras attire! This event is dog-friendly, so leashed, well-behaved pups are welcome too. Join us at Ferry Park to embrace the energy, color, and culture of Mardi Gras while raising awareness for mental health and supporting the community. Don't miss out on this unforgettable day of movement, music, and fun!
Organiser's Description
WELCOME TO FORT MARDI GRAS 2026 WHERE MOVEMENT MEETS MUSIC, COMMUNITY, AND BETTER MINDS
WE ARE OFFERING ONE FINAL PACKET PICKUP FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS AND LATE REGISTRANTS OF THE FORT MARDI GRAS 5K RUN WALK.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
1:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M.
53 FERRY ROAD NE
FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32548
PLEASE NOTE: ALTHOUGH THIS ADDRESS IS A RESIDENCE, TURN INTO FERRY PARK AND YOU WILL SEE US SET UP FOR PACKET PICKUP.
WE KINDLY ASK THAT IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE PICK UP YOUR PACKET EARLY TO HELP US ENSURE A SMOOTH AND TIMELY START ON RACE MORNING. YOUR COOPERATION TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
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 BY BASKET BALL COURTS IN FERRY PARK .
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! (LATE REGISTRATION & 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!
_(PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY AS 7A.M. RACE DAY TO CHECK-IN IF YOU MISSED PACKET PICK UP DAYS)_
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
WE ARE OFFERING ONE FINAL PACKET PICKUP FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS AND LATE REGISTRANTS OF THE FORT MARDI GRAS 5K RUN WALK.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
1:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M.
53 FERRY ROAD NE
FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32548
PLEASE NOTE: ALTHOUGH THIS ADDRESS IS A RESIDENCE, TURN INTO FERRY PARK AND YOU WILL SEE US SET UP FOR PACKET PICKUP.
WE KINDLY ASK THAT IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE PICK UP YOUR PACKET EARLY TO HELP US ENSURE A SMOOTH AND TIMELY START ON RACE MORNING. YOUR COOPERATION TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
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 BY BASKET BALL COURTS IN FERRY PARK .
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! (LATE REGISTRATION & 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!
_(PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY AS 7A.M. RACE DAY TO CHECK-IN IF YOU MISSED PACKET PICK UP DAYS)_
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 5k Run/Walk "Late" Registration
Incl. $2.80 Fee & Mardi Gras Fun Take Home Prizes While Supplies Last!
Sat 28th February 2026 (9:00AM CST)
$32.80
This Registration does not Guarantee a Race Medal. We will have Limited Mardi Gras Take Home Giveaways Only for more add on Fun for our Late Registers! Your Bib Number will be YELLOW. Also 10&under still can participate FREE with Adult Registration and receive prizes as well!! -
Fort Mardi Gras Fun 5k Run/Walk Registration
Incl. $2.80 Fee & Mardi Gras Finisher Medal (Custom)
Sat 28th February 2026 (9:00AM CST)
$32.80
CLOSED10& 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
CLOSED! This Registration is for "Military and Veterans ONLY" Discount. You will be asked to provide a Military ID at your Packet Pick Up before receiving your BIB Number. 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
CLOSEDVirtual 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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