Parade on Fat Tuesday and party the following Saturday: It's time for Mardi Gras in Port Aransas.

The parade is sponsored by the Port Aransas Leisure Society (PALS). It will be held on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 20.

A Mardi Gras carnival to benefit the Jody McCormick Scholarship Fund for vocational education students at Port Aransas High School will be held Saturday, Feb. 24. The scholarship memorializes McCormick, the late owner of Sharkey's.

Paraders should don costumes on Fat Tuesday, decorate their pets (that should be kept on leashes), bikes, boats, cars or trailers, and line up on Beach Street in the vicinity of The Gaff, just east of Station Street. Line up at 4:30 p.m. and be ready to "march" at 5 p.m.

The parade route will be west on Beach Street to Alister where it will turn north and march to the flats where paraders will disperse. Paraders should bring their own beads and candy to share with spectators along the route.

The party will continue on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the annual Mardi Gras carnival on the grounds of Sharkey's, 2600 State Hwy. 361.

The carnival, from noon to 6 p.m., will feature music, small dog races, a cakewalk, hula-hoop, chicken drop, raffles, a silent auction and vendors selling wares.

Vendors who would like to participate should call Sharkey's at 749-4254.

For more information about the parade or carnival, or to volunteer to help, call Janet Calvert at (361) 779-4131.