Padre Island's Barefoot Mardi Gras grows into month-long celebration benefiting local businesses

Padre Island's Barefoot Mardi Gras grows into month-long celebration benefiting local businesses

The Padre Island Business Association took over Barefoot Mardi Gras 12 years ago and has transformed it from a small beach parade into a month-long event that benefits neighbors, businesses, and local organizations."The Island community itself has really embraced the opportunity to come together and offer all these fun things to do for someone who wants to spend the month doing Mardi Gras things," said Stephanie Hesch, president of the Padre Isl…