Forty-four years of Mardi Gras tradition will be celebrated in Snowmass Village today (Fat Tuesday).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Highlights include a Base Village bead toss (2:45 p.m.) by this year\u2019s Mardi Gras Royalty, Jeremy and Jennifer Swanson, to be followed by live music from the Pimps of Joytime.<\/span><\/p>\n In and around the Snowmass Mall and Base Village, there will be kids activities and a \u201cwalking and skiing dragon to celebrate Chinese New Year,\u201d according to a Snowmass Tourism news release. The annual Mother of All Ascensions race will be held in the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMardi Gras is one of Snowmass\u2019 most beloved winter traditions, bringing together locals and visitors for a full day of celebration,\u201d Julia Theisen, tourism director for Snowmass Tourism, said in the release.<\/span><\/p>\n The Swansons moved to Snowmass in 1999 to work at Anderson Ranch Arts Center the day after they got married, the release says. After several years at Anderson Ranch, the Swansons decided to strike out on their own: Jeremy in photography and Jennifer in digital communications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt might not have worked anywhere else, but Snowmass made it possible,\u201d the release adds. They welcomed their daughter, Tilly, in 2003.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Mardi Gras King and Queen of years past are always people deeply connected to the community \u2014 part of its fabric and character. To be included among them is a true honor, and one we\u2019re very grateful for,\u201d Jennifer Swanson said.<\/span><\/p>\n