Zydeco Bounce line dancing, Mardi Gras floats and free Mardi Gras beads are all part of the fun at Salt River Tubing’s Madcap Mardi Gras Magic event on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Travel the road to Northeast Mesa, and experience a one-of-a-kind adventure in the great outdoors of Tonto National Forest, and celebrate 15 years of Mardi Gras Magic on the Lower Salt River. With thousands of tubers attending each year, the event is Salt River Tubing’s longest running costume-themed event.
Laissez le bon temps rouler
Let the Good Times Roll on the rocking Salt River rapids, and enjoy a Cajun floating picnic adventure. The good times will be rocking as flamboyantly costumed river employees toss free Mardi Gras beads and doubloons, while the Zydeco Bounce line dancers wow the crowds.
Invited exhibitors include Monster Beverage Company and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office-Community Affairs Team. Purple, green and gold are the colors of the day. So, paint your face or don a mask, and dangle those Mardi Gras beads. Free tubing passes and Limited Edition Mardi Gras Magic T-shirts will be awarded for best tuber costumes and event contests. Even though costumes are optional for attendees, dressing up will add to the merrymaking with the madcap Salt River Tubing Mardi Gras Krewe.
“The Madcap Mardi Gras Magic event has been designed to entice teens to experience the great outdoors in a memorable and enjoyable manner,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Salt River Tubing Henri Breault. “The uniqueness of celebrating Mardi Gras in the summertime while chilling and thrilling on the Salt River will hopefully bring them back time and again to Tonto National Forest. The cool and refreshing mountain-stream waters are an inviting setting for families to enjoy a fun-filled adventure also on the Lower Salt River,” he continued. “Join Salt River Tubing as we celebrate 15 years of frolicking good times in August.”
The Mardi Gras Magic event, co-sponsored by KKFR Power 98.3 radio and 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 designed expressly to encourage efforts to get kids and teens outdoors.
Salt River Tubing operates under permit of the USDA Forest Service, and is located in Tonto National Forest.
Daily operating hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The cost of tube rental is $17 per person or tube, which includes sales tax, tube rental and shuttle bus service.
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. Please bring plastic or can beverage containers.
Have a great time on the Lower Salt River, and appoint a responsible designated driver before your tubing adventure. Drugs, alcohol and the Salt River do not mix. Just don’t do it.
Weather and water flow permitting, the latest tube rental is 2 p.m. The last shuttle bus pickup is 6:30 p.m.
Salt River Tubing is located in the beautiful Tonto National Forest, in Northeast Mesa, just seven minutes from the East Loop 202, Exit 23A, on Power Road.
For event details and past Mardi Gras Magic event photos and videos, please visit saltrivertubing.com. For additional fun, click on vimeo.com/72022196 for Salt River Tubing’s Mardi Gras Magic video.
For more information about Salt River Tubing, please call (480) 984-3305. Visit the website at saltrivertubing.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.