The MITS trolley will be providing safe rides home for everyone from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
downtownmuncie.org // Photo Courtesy
Muncie DWNTWN is gearing up for its 15th annual Muncie Gras celebration. The New Orleans-style festivities will take place from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday.
The streets of downtown Muncie will be open for all those over 21 to eat, drink and enjoy the live entertainment. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Groups of ten or more who commit to the parade can get tickets for $12 online.
Cheryl Crowder, the event director for Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, said Muncie Gras started as a way to entice people and new business into a blighted downtown area.
“We invited the community and much to our surprise, they came out in droves,” Crowder said. “Apparently Muncie needed a party. We had nearly 10,000 people in attendance with no control, no clean-up plan, no porta potties, no police ... it was a mess, but an amazing night that has kind of become Muncie lore.”
While Crowder said they’ve had to make a few adjustments since then, Muncie Gras is still "the biggest party of the year."
Here’s a look at what the night has in store:
Parade
This year marks the first ever Muncie Gras Parade in order to include people of all ages in the festivities.
Parade organizers are seeking people in costumes, musicians, dancers, organizations, fraternities, sororities and businesses to join in on the fun.
Mike Martin, the parade organizer, said he thinks the parade will be a great way to get more Ball State students interested in the event.
“The parade is starting on campus so that we can try to get more students to come,” Martin said. “We’re trying to make this something that Muncie and Ball State can be proud of.”
The parade will start on Riverside Avenue in the parking lot between Dicks and Dill streets at 6 p.m. and will end at the Muncie Gras gates.
The parade is free, but all participants need to fill out a parade participation form here.
Music
“The musicians are incredible," Martin said. "It’s really a music festival that showcases what Muncie has to offer. You get to experience all Muncie has to offer with amazing background noise. What other time do you get to do that?”
Bud Light Stage
This year’s headlining act is The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. They are a three-piece American country blues band from Brown County.
Eclectic Stage
The eclectic stage will feature Jennie Devoe, Mike Martin and the Beautiful Mess, Losing September, Glostick Willy and the Bathsalt Zombies.
Tents
The party’s two heated tents will host the Illuminate EDM dance party and The Fabulous Funcie Femmes and Friends Burlesque Show.
Other Entertainment
Mechanical bull
Budweiser go-go cage
Oxygen bars
Hippo chowdown
Giant Twister board
Dizzy X
Vortex
Bouncing ponies and track
Silent disco
“I think Muncie Gras has become a right of passage for anyone 21 and over,” Crowder said. “So come. Dress up, bring your ID, be responsible, have an awesome time and don’t disrupt anyone else.”
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