Broad Channel Celebrates Mardi Gras!

By Dan Guarino

As hundreds lined the streets with coolers, tents, chairs, applause and smiles, Vikings, Swifties, Orioles, Spice Girls and more came rolling along Cross Bay Boulevard as Broad Channel cheered on another festive and fun Mardi Gras parade on Monday, September 2.

Since back when Broad Channel was a seasonal vacation community, Mardi Gras has been a Labor Day end of summer celebration as well as the cap to months dedicated to raising for funds for Broad Channel non-profits.

Alternating with the Broad Channel Athletic Club, this year’s Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department host confirmed, “The very first Mardi Gras with a land parade was held in 1908 to pay for the cost of building the firehouse, which still stands today. Ever since then the purpose of Mardi Gras was to help pay for capital purchases like new apparatus and equipment.”

Each year organizations, individuals and groups raise money through family fun days, karaoke nights, hosting events and games, delivering dinners, car washes and raffles. Broad Channel’s Grassy Point and Ruffle Bar also help support Mardi Gras fun and fundraising. It is often also a generational affair as residents vie for titles like Mardi Gras King, Queen, Mayor and more.

This year, the BCVFD noted, “Katie McIntyre is running her son ‘Future Fire Chief Cody’ for ‘Babyface.’ Her late mother, Dawn McIntyre, was a huge proponent and organizer of Mardi Gras events and committees from the ‘80s through the 2000s for both the BCAC and us, and Katie is trying to carry on the tradition.” This year, Cody and company raised a whopping $15,258 of the $43,166 raised for BCVFD this year.

Featuring hundreds of costumed Channel adults and kids, the parade kicked off under sunny, warm skies shortly after 1 p.m. from West 10th Road. Heading south, the caravan of colorful homemade floats, built on boat trailers, and waving groups of walkers, then turned around at 20th Road, now continuing their march northward on Cross Bay. As is tradition, onlookers pulled chairs, strollers, and coolers across the road to watch the parade go by again. With sirens wailing and music playing, the procession included BCVFD engines and ambulances, as well as current elected officials and candidates and 100th Precinct Commander NYPD Captain Carol Hamilton.

Stretching for blocks, the parade arrived at the BCAC Memorial Field where sizzling burgers, drinks, games, a bounce firehouse and large water slide and music by DJ Milty awaited.

Awards and trophies were also given. First place for Most Original Float went to “Cody For Future Fire Chief’s” full-sized fire engine with working water house. Second was “Iroquois Nation,” the Broad Channel yacht club’s tiki bar float, complete with live music by Kyle Wade, and Third went to the raucous “Once An Oriole…Always And Oriole,” BC’s Jamaica Bay Softball League 2024 Champs.

Funniest Float went to Anabas Boat Club’s epic Viking ship complete with costumed crew, oars, and dragon masthead. Second prize went to “Inside Out Back To School” celebrating, at least for the blue-wigged mom’s marching behind, the kids’ classroom return, and Third went to the karate kids-themed “BC Cobra Kai.”

Prettiest Float went first to a mom, dad, and baby daughter for their colorful “Candy Land” float and next to Taylor Swift fans “In Our BC Era” floats. In the “Walkers” groups, Most Original went to the Orioles’ next generation “Baby Birds,” sporting nest decorated strollers, while Funniest was the “Spice Girl’s” ladies, dressed as paprika, chili powder, et al.

The BCVFD generously thanked numerous community organizations, local businesses, individuals, and families for making the 2024 Mardi Gras a success.

As the day shifted towards later afternoon, Channel paradegoers and participants went off to gatherings and barbecues to observe another Mardi Gras tradition—celebrating together with family, neighbors, and friends.

Photos by Dan Guarino.