Clarendon Mardi Gras: Parade Brings Bourbon Street to Arlington

Thousands came out for Clarendon's annual Mardi Gras Parade.

Arlington celebrated Fat Tuesday in what's become an annual tradition in Clarendon. Thousands came out for Clarendon's annual Mardi Gras Parade. Matt Hussmann — executive director of the Clarendon Alliance, which puts on the event — said he thought the crowd was as good or better than last year's estimate of 3,000. At times, the crowd drifted so far into the street near Wilson and Edgewood that the parade had to squeeze through. Participants said they gave out more beads this year than last. "Well, I thought it was fun," Hussmann told Patch. "I thought the crowd was great. I thought the groups were great. There was a lot of energy. The weather was nice. So, we're happy. And from what I've heard — and I imagine I'll be hearing a lot more …

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Clarendon Mardi Gras Returns Tuesday

Event kicks off at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

PHOTOS: Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade 2012

Hundreds turn out for annual Fat Tuesday celebration.

Wilson Boulevard was packed Fat Tuesday night for the Clarendon-Courthouse community's annual Mardi Gras parade. The parade consisted of 45 floats provided by area businesses, political and civic groups, and various entertainers. Beads flew through the air to a crowd full of everyone from children to the elderly to every age in between. Many wore masks or costumes and blinked or glowed in the dark. The local business community was well represented, from mainstays like Whitlow's on Wilson to newcomers like Trader Joe's. The latter was handing out the store's reuable shopping bags, which caused adults to push past the children to get out front. And beg. The U.S. Park Police had horses, dogs had walkers and most everyone else had some sort of…

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