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FAT TUESDAY


Tuesday, February 17, is the date and University Avenue, between 1st


and 4th, is the location. General admission tickets in advance are $15, or $20 on day of, with advance VIP tickets at $50, or $75 day of.


THE ORIGINAL HILLCREST FAT TUESDAY COMES HOME


NOTHING BEATS by ken knox


hey say you can never go home again. Yet, don’t tell that to the plan- ning committee behind Hillcrest’s annual Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras street fair and celebration. After holding the shindig in the east end last year, the committee is bringing the party back to where it all began. “Last year, we decided to


change the venue so that we could incorporate a parade and involve some of our other businesses down on that end of town. We received a lot of great feedback from the community,” says Hillcrest Business Association Marketing and Communications Director Megan Gamwell. “Although, last year was a blast, we had a few bumps, and it taught us a lot about what the community truly loves about Hillcrest Fat Tuesday.” The event, launched by the Hillcrest Business Association in 2002, was conceived as


a way to bring attention to local businesses in the University Avenue and 4th Avenue district and to raise money for LGBT youth through the Greater San Diego Business Association Charitable Foundation’s annual youth scholarship program. Sponsored by Skyy Vodka, Budweiser, Viejas Resort and Casino, with Rich’s San Diego hosting the mainstage and Lips San Diego hosting the performance stage. Fat Tuesday returns


12 RAGE monthly | FEBRUARY 2015 RAGE monthly


FAT TUESDAY PRE-PARTIES


“Let the good times roll...” a little early! Catch the Mardi Gras spirit with


The Rage Monthly and Hill- crest Business Association on Saturday, February 7 at Flicks and Friday, February 13 during Top of the Bay at the Porto Vista Hotel. Purchase discounted Fat


Tuesday tickets and enter to win a pair of VIP passes and much more!


For tickets and more information, go to


hillcrestfattuesday.com.


HILLCREST


to its birthplace in front of Urban MO’s and other Hillcrest favorites like Fiesta Cantina and the Empire House. Additions to the festivities this year include, says Gamwell, “An elevated platform in the VIP area near the mainstage, Cajun food trucks, some classic New Orleans- inspired Zydeco bands and more beads than ever before, along with the usual array of stilt walkers, go-go boys and carnival performers.” In other words, Gamwell confirms, “It’s a party!” But, while she notes that, “A lot of other Fat


Tuesday events are just about the drinking— and there will probably be plenty of that in Hillcrest,” Gamwell is quick to place the empha- sis on the event’s origins. “Traditionally, Mardi Gras is supposed to be this big celebration right before Lent. It’s your last chance to drink, dine and dance until the end of spring. What makes [the Hillcrest celebration] unique is that a big part of our community is celebrating who you are in the community you love. We celebrate on Fat Tuesday to celebrate one another.” This year will have another unique distinction


surrounding the event; it’s the 13th year, Fat Tuesday is being held. But, while some may find 13 to be an unlucky number, Gamwell doesn’t put much stock in superstitions and shrugs off any notion of bad luck. “Hillcrest is a fun-loving, open and safe community and I think that’s what draws so many people to our event,” Gamwell affirms. “And the fact is, we are all here to raise money for our community in a really fun and positive way, which creates a positive, fun energy. You are guaranteed to have a good time.” Superstitions and beliefs about numbers


aside, when all is said and done, Gamwell says that this year is really all about returning to Fat Tuesday’s roots. “What we learned last year, is that the original ways are the best ways and that’s why we are heading back to the way it used to be and building on that. Nothing beats the original.”


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