MG Photos

What a fabulous evening!  A big thanks to everyone who helped us promote the event and attended!  Let's do it again next year on February 13th...start inviting your friends and we will see you there!

--
Cheryl Crowder
Program Manager
Downtown Development Partnership
(765) 282-7897: office
(765) 215-5880: cell

Muncie Gras T-Shirts

Preview the NEW Muncie Gras T-Shirts!
Special ones for Guys and Girls
$20.00 each

Muncie Gras Weather Forecast

The weather forecast for Muncie Gras on Saturday is mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Highs in the upper 20s. Lows around 16.

This is Indiana, though, so the forecast could change well before then! Click here to check the most current weather conditions and forecast for Downtown Muncie Indiana.

No worries either way - the HUGE heated tents in the streets will keep you warm, and there will be plenty to do at all the inside venues. Click here for the complete entertainment lineup.

Get your advance tickets now! Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the gate. Click here for list of ticket onsale locations.

Muncie GrasEntertainment Line-up

All acts and times are subject to change!

Heated Tent FM Music Stage
200 block of Walnut St
7-8: Funcie Funk
8-9: 8 Stories high
9-10: Prizzy Prizzy Please
10-11: Losing September
11-12: Michael Martin Band
12-2: Mid West Hype

Doc's Music Hall
215 S. Walnut St
9-10: Jack of Suede
10-11: James Brown Car Alarm
11-12: Redlight Remedy
1-3: Cosmic Railroad
Totally Michael....all night long

Blue Bottle our own Cafe du Monde!
Food specials, beer and wine

Heorot (additional ticket purchase required before 2/21)
219 S. Walnut Street

Mr. Mouse
223 S. Walnut
Coyote Crazy! Window Dancers

Heated Doc's on Dill Tent
east side of Adams and Walnut St.
MC Sparkplug Trip Hop Dance Party.....all night long
8:00 and 10:00 BSU Busted Space Vaudeville

Heated End Zone Tent
west side of Adams and Walnut St.
Budlight Go-Go Cage

Center Stage- Club Bud
7-8 Mudeye Joe
8-9- Joan Hamilton Band
9-12- Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel
12-2:00- Smokin Guns Band

Heated Bourbon St. Tent
Fickle Peach and Buddy's Place
300 Block of Walnut
Bellydancers, swords, veils and freaks of nature!
Il Troubador 16th Century Rock throughout the evening
Laughing Monkey Bellydancers: 7:00, 7:45
Ancient Arts Dance Studio: 8:00, 9:15
Tantric Trio: 8:30, 9:30
Wyld Fyre: 8:15, 9:00, 9:45
Freakshow Foley: 8:45, 10:00
10:15: All Access Muncie.com Costume Contest
$100 first prize plus goodies!
Prizes for the best headdress, best mask,
10:30-12:00 Regional Bellydance Competition
Solo, Troup and Beginners
(must be pre-registered to compete)
12:00-2:00 Belly Dance Jam...everybody dance now!

Heated French Quarter Tent
Buddy's Place and Dill Street
Mechanical Bull...ride a horse, save a cowboy!
Karaoke

Heated French Quarter Tent
End Zone and Mark III Tap Room
We told you there would be something for everyone...
7:00-8:00--Amateur Hour
8:00-8:30- Male Review
9:00-10:00- Rainbow Girls Drag Show
10:00-10:30-Cirilla's Lingerie Show
10:30-11:30- Jokers Wild Dancers
11:30-12:30: Rainbow Girls Drag Show
12:30-1:00-Male Review
1:00-2:00- Amateur Hour...show us what you've got!

Food Vendors
Cajun Kid
Fat Boys Chicken
Old Memphis BBQ
Sweet Treats

Retail Vendors
Bead, Beads and More Beads!
Body Painting
Drum Circle
ABATE
Utopia Tribal
US Smokeless Tobacco
Cirilla's
Pleasures
Photo Booth by Stone Bear Photography
Bessie the Beer Cow- got beer?

Outside the Gate
(Additional Cover Charge):
Mark III Tap Room: Drag Shows at the Top of each hour 9:00-1:00
Fickle Peach: Live Music "Frank" 10:00-2:00

UPDATED: MITS and Trolley Routes and Info

MITS will provide shuttle service for the Lyndenbrook area to Muncie Gras. There is no charge to ride the shuttle.

The buses will not be able to come into the parking lots, but will stop at the driveways of all the hotels along the route. Customers will need to be waiting for the buses at the street.

The bus will come by approximately every 30 minutes, starting at 7:00 p.m. The event ends at 2:00 a.m. Shuttles will continue for about an hour, until it looks like everyone is gone.

Hotel visitors should check with the front desk for specific pickup locations. Apartment complex dwellers should use normal MITS bus stops.

MITS will provide a safe ride to and from Muncie Gras from 7pm-3am along the following routes:


CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE

We have changed our campus route for Muncie Gras to include Riverside. Hopefully this change will help more people take advantage of this fabulous free and safe ride to the event. Catch the trolley at any MITS bus stop along this route:


CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE

Muncie Gras Videos for you to view!

http://muncievideos.com/Muncie/2005/MardiGras/

http://muncievideos.com/Muncie/MardiGras2007/videohighlights/

http://muncievideos.com/Muncie/Mardi/Gras/2008/Video/

--
Cheryl Crowder
Program Manager
Downtown Development Partnership
(765) 282-7897: office
(765) 215-5880: cell

Muncie Gras in Ball State Daily News

Check out this write-up on the upcoming Muncie Gras in the Ball State Daily News:

Ball State Daily News

Fwd: MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies' wishes for Muncie Gras!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <mojou2@aol.com>
Date: Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Subject: MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies' wishes for Muncie Gras!
To: cherylleggs@ameritech.net, chercrowder@gmail.com


Cheryl,

MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies wish a Bon Mardi Gras to Muncie Gras and the entire Muncie community!

We are proud we performed for two Muncie Gras, and love the wonderful fans and friends we made in Muncie!

Someday, please let MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies return to ROCK MUNCIE GRAS!

Bon Mardi Gras!

MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies
www.redhotmojo.com

p.s.  We have attached some great photos from MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies' last Muncie Gras performance!

Muncie Gras On Myspace

Muncie Gras is now on myspace - please go be our friends!!
myspace.com/munciegras

Blog updates and photos coming soon to the myspace page. In the meantime, check the official Muncie Gras site:

(you're already on it!)

or Muncie Gras On Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=44894493629


The 8th Annual Muncie Mardi Gras will be held February 21, 2009- 7pm-2am in the Streets of Downtown Muncie!

MITS will provide a safe ride to and from Muncie Gras from 7pm-3am along the following route. Hotel visitors should check with the front desk for specific pickup locations. Apartment complex dwellers should use normal MITS bus stops.

Stay tuned, more to come!

Muncie Gras FAQ

-       How did Muncie Gras get started?

 

 

Like all events Downtown, Muncie Gras was established as marketing tool to encourage folks to discover Downtown.  The local radio stations came to us with the idea as a duplication of a similar event in one of their sister cities, Willmington PA.  The cities share a similar demographic and entertainment district and they had several years of success with their celebration.  Because Downtown Development has nurtured a reputation for "trying anything once" we agreed to host the event. Overwhelming, is the only word to describe the first year's event!  

-       From what you know, how far do people come from to attend Muncie Gras?

 

We see folks from all over the Midwest but often hear from people who make the pilgrimage from all corners of the USA!  Lots of locals plan gatherings with friends from out of town around the Muncie Gras date.  It really is one of those unique events where Muncie can market to a broad audience...who else is insane enough to host a huge outdoor bash in the middle of February in Indiana!

-       What are some short term and long term goals for Muncie Gras?

 

On the short term, Muncie Gras is the largest fund raising effort of the year for Downtown Development.  We are a self funded not-for-profit organization and proceeds from Muncie Gras allow us to produce many other events to promote Downtown throughout the year. 

On the long term, growing the event, adding new attractions, reaching a wider audience, expanding our marketing to other Indiana college campuses, and increasing the economic benefits to the community as a whole. 

-       In doing research I've found that some religious leaders in Muncie have fought against Muncie Gras. It was famous enough for Pastor John Tyner to appear on Fox's The O'Reiley Factor. What involvement have you had with Rev. Tyner? Do you see any problems or dangers with Muncie Gras?
Interview video: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/75540/against_mardi_gras/

 

We have always tried to be responsive to the concerns of the faith community. I did not have any direct communication with Rev. Tyner but have always left the door open for a conversation to occur.  Several minister expressed their concern after the first year. As a result, Muncie Gras became a ticketed, gated, 21 and up event.  All attendees are adults of legal drinking age who pay to gain entrance to the event area.  You can't accidental attend Muncie Gras.  We encourage responsibility, provide adequate and responsive security and offer free transportation. Overall we believe that adults can make their own choices about whether this is event they would enjoy attending or not.      

-       Are there any crowd favorites that are returning this year and any new attractions that people will surely enjoy?

 

All of the crowd's favorite attractions are returning.  We will have 2 additional performance stages with acts that you surely won't want to miss, a regional bellydancing contest, enhanced costume contest, VIP ticket opportunities, additional heated tents and indoor venues.

-       How has Muncie Gras changed over the years?

 The first year we approached this event, very few of the buildings on Walnut Street had received attention.  We invited local bars and eateries to move into vacant Downtown storefronts for the evening, and by doing so, 16 temporary establishments were installed in abandoned spaces over a three block area.  As we started planning the event in 2008, we realized that after 8 years of substantial improvement Downtown and some hostile weather, we needed to totally reinvent how we set up for this event.  We had virtually no empty storefront spaces to use and that has lead us to the huge heated tents to house bars and entertainment and the elimination of the big outdoor stage.  There is still plenty of live music and active entertainment but we are not at the mercy of the weather.

-       I've interviewed a patron of four years to Muncie Gras. He gave me some information that I would like to have verified or denied. He said that a few years ago, Muncie Gras had a larger attendance. He said that Muncie police officers nearly ruined the event by issuing public intoxication tickets to patrons to generate money for the police department. He said that it seemed to hurt the event in the past few years. Do you think this is true? What is your opinion of this statement?

Rev. Tyner's national publicity of Muncie Gras generated our biggest numbers ever, with 11,000 tickets sold.  Attendance plunged in 2007 when a blizzard hit the area 5 days prior to the event.  We decided to move forward with Muncie Gras  because we already had substantial non- refundable expenses committed...in hindsight we should have taken the front end loss. Our numbers were back up to about 6000 last year and I anticipate a gain again this year.
 
I am not aware of MPD ever issuing public intox tickets to Muncie Gras guests unless they were creating a situation that was dangerous to themselves or other guests.  MPD is present at the event and I think they do a great job of evaluating when they are needed.  There aren't alot of rules attached to Muncie Gras, we revel in a traditional manner, but the police will step in if a situation turns violent or a guest is interfering with someone's enjoyment of the evening.  We have had DUI arrests.  Weather you are drinking at Muncie Gras, a bar or house party, we encourage folks to make responsible choices and either secure a designated driver or use the free MITS trolley service.  MITS will run all evening 7pm-3am to The Village, Lyndenbrook hotels and Windemere Apartments.

-       The Muncie Gras Web site commented on the event being set up to handle the cold weather. Why is this outdoor event held in one of the coldest months? Why is it not scheduled for warmer months? Are there benefits to having the event in February?

Because we're NUTS! 

Seriously, the are several reasons for maintaining the winter date.  First of all...that's when Mardi Gras happens.  For those who need translation, "Mardi Gras" means, Fat Tuesday.  Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday beginning the season of Lent leading up to Easter.  Fat Tuesday is the  "last hoorah" of indulgence before the sacrifices of Lent. Granted, we don't party on Tuesday, but Muncie Gras is always held the Saturday before Fat Tuesday.  The date changes each year because Lent is determined by the date of Easter which is determined by the lunar cycle...wheew! In 2011 we actually get a March date!

Additionally, our sponsor like the traditional Mardi Gras date. Keeping them happy is important to making this event work.  There is little competition for their branding during this time.

It is an economically slow time of the year for both the hospitality and food and beverage business.  Muncie Gras is a great financial shot in the arm for businesses not only Downtown but throughout the community. 

Downtown Development will produce 13 major events and 2 serial (weekly) events in 2009.  Looking at the the community calendar, BSU/student calendar and Downtown's calendar, there isn't a better time to do it.

Last, but not least, by mid February cabin fever has set in.  Our numbers show that people are ready to party!



Cheryl Crowder Program Manager

Downtown Development Partnership
(765) 282-7897: office
(765) 215-5880: cell

Remember this year???

Muncie Gras has been through many changes over the last 8 years. The outdoor stage from this photo is gone and we have moved the music inside the bars and huge ass tents. The thing that hasn't changed are the enormous number of people, from all across the region who spend their evening "Doing It Downtown"!  Don't let us have this much fun without you!

Advanced ticket locations - UPDATED

Advanced Tickets available at the following locations starting February 2nd, 2009:

After Dark
3 locations! In Muncie, Marion & Anderson

Baskin Robbins
at the corner of McGalliard & North Wheeling in Muncie

Buddy's Place
3101 S. Madison St. in Muncie

Collins Classic Ink
413 S. Tillotson, Ste. 4, just south of Adams St.

Dragon Slayer
just south of McGalliard on Wheeling

JR's Tropical Tan
at the corner of Streeter and Granville in Muncie

Low Bob's Discount Tobacco
all 3 Muncie locations - on Memorial Dr., Tillotson Ave. & Walnut St.

Mr. Mouse
in Downtown Yorktown

Munseetown Community Federal Credit Union
1805 N. Elm in Muncie

Party Wizards
corner of McGalliard & Reserve across from Starbucks

Pete's Duck Inn
in Albany

T & L Waters Accounting
at 1910 N. Walnut in Muncie

Toys Forever Models & Hobbies
on Walnut Street in Downtown Muncie

Uptown Girl
8509 W. Smith St. in Yorktown

Yorktown Wireless
behind Mr. Mouse in Downtown Yorktown

*Also available online @ WLBC.com, MAXROCKS.net & WERKFM.net*

Docs/FM Music Presents....

Midwest Hype
Michael Martin Band
Red Light Remedy
8 Stories High
Losing September
Totally Michael
Cosmic Railroad
Prizzy Prizzy Please

Indoor and outdoor stages. 
Partial listing- talent subject to change.

--
Cheryl Crowder
Program Manager
Downtown Development Partnership
(765) 282-7897: office
(765) 215-5880: cell

Centerstage/Club Bud Stage Line-up

7-8 Mudeye Joe
8-10- Joan Hamilton Band
10-12- Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel
12-1:30- Smokin Guns Band

Just added!

Blue Monkey Sideshow!  
http://www.bluemonkeysideshow.com/Videos.htm

--
Cheryl Crowder
Program Manager
Downtown Development Partnership
(765) 282-7897: office
(765) 215-5880: cell

Mucie Gras photos!

--
Cheryl Crowder
Program Manager
Downtown Development Partnership
(765) 282-7897: office
(765) 215-5880: cell

test photo

Muncie Mardi Gras 2009 Set for February 21st

The 8th Annual Muncie Mardi Gras will be held February 21, 2009- 7pm-2am in the Streets of Downtown Muncie!

Huge heated tents will house all of your favorite bars and some of our favorite active entertainment. The weather is not an obstacle this year; there will be tons of places to get out of the cold and grab a cold one! The mechanical bull is back, the go-go cage, interactive video screens, FM Music outdoor stage, Bessie the beer giving cow, regional belly dancing contest, drag show, Cirilla's lingerie show, sizzling hot male revue, costume contest and tons of live entertainment indoors and out will keep you in the party mood throughout the evening!

We will bring New Orleans French Quarter, parades and Bourbon St. to Walnut St. See the sights and sounds of New Orleans Mardi Gras on big outdoor screens! Live remote cameras will be placed throughout the venue to project your party antics on big screens throughout the event! You can be the star attraction!

Get started on your costume NOW! Bring your beads, or buy them here. Either way...get ready to "Throw me something Mister!"

MITS Trolley will provide a safe ride home, running from 7pm-3am to campus and Lyndenbrook hotels. This is a 21 and up event. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Tickets are also available online at WLBC.com, MAXROCKS.net & WERKFM.net.

Check this website often for entertainment updates, pre-sale ticket locations and MITS Trolley route.

Vendors who would like to be a part of this year's event should contact Cheryl Crowder @ chercrowder@gmail.com or 765 282-7897.

Laissez les bon temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)


MUNCIE GRAS 2009 Sponsors: MSD Education and Recycling Inititive (Mr. Blue), WLBC,MAX,WERK and Downtown Development


Please tell them you saw it on munciedowntown.us