Purple, green and gold are the prevailing colors of the day as flamboyantly costumed parade goers and Mardi Gras floats shuttle tubers to the Lower Salt River for a unique, Cajun-floating picnic, in Tonto National Forest, on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Paint your face, don a mask, and throw on your Mardi Gras beads. Salt River Tubing’s Mardi Gras Magic event attracts thousands to Northeast Mesa for a one-of-a-kind adventure on the Salt River. The good times will be rocking as Zydeco music booms, line dancers trip the light fantastic, and the Parade of Floats (buses) provide Cajun-style shuttles to the Salt River. The Salt River Tubing krewe will be tossing doubloons, and free Mardi Gras beads will be thrown to the first 1,000 participants.
Costumes are optional for tubers. However, free tubing passes, together with limited edition Mardi Gras Magic T-shirts, will be awarded for the best tuber costumes and event contests. Tubing passes are valid upon return visit.
“Mardi Gras Magic on the Salt River is an amazing venue for fun in the sun,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Salt River Tubing Henri Breault. “Our Mardi Gras krewe is ready to rock your socks with their fun-filled antics, colorful costumes and parade floats.”
This event is spicy and sizzling, with the Lower Salt River offering chills and thrills while you enjoy a Cajun-floating picnic on its 68-degree mountain stream waters. Experience Mardi Gras in your own backyard. Let the good times roll on the Salt River, and enjoy a memorable adventure that will top off your summertime outings.
The Mardi Gras Magic event is co-sponsored by 98 KUPD Radio. Invited event exhibitors include the College Times’ Street Team, Sobe Life Water, Monster Beverage and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office—Community Affairs Team.
Salt River Tubing is aligned with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s More Kids in the Woods commitment in meeting the challenge of reduced youth involvement in outdoor activities. The program was expressly designed to encourage efforts to get kids and teens outdoors.
The cost of tube rental and shuttle bus service all day is $17 per person/tube, which includes sales tax.
Children must be 8 years old or older and at least 4 feet tall for tube rental and shuttle bus service. Children, non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers should wear life vests.
Glass containers are prohibited by law in the Lower Salt River Recreational Area and will be confiscated. Ice chests and coolers will be inspected for glass containers before boarding shuttle buses. As a security deposit, one valid driver’s license is required for every five tubes rented.
Have a great time on the Lower Salt River by responsibly appointing a designated driver before beginning your tubing adventure. Drugs, alcohol and the Salt River do not mix. Therefore, play it safe, and just don’t do it.
Salt River Tubing is located in Northeast Mesa, just seven minutes from Highway 202 East, or 15 miles north of Highway 60, on Power Road.
Daily operating hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the latest tube rental is 3 p.m., weather and water flow permitting. The last shuttle bus pickup is 6:30 p.m. Salt River Tubing is open seven days a week.
Please visit our website www.saltrivertubing.com for event details and past Mardi Gras Magic event photos and videos. For Salt River Tubing’s Mardi Gras Magic video, and for additional fun, click on www.vimeo.com/72022196.
For more information, call (480) 984-3305. Follow or like Salt River Tubing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.