Video: Busch Gardens Critters Show Bucs, Chiefs How To Play Ball

TAMPA, FL — This week, the care teams at Busch Gardens Tampa set up some football fun for the animals in the park — from the smallest players like the Meerkats to the big MVP lions and hippos. Have you ever seen a hippo devour a football?

Courtesy Busch Gardens

If you plan to visit Busch Gardens this weekend, "laissez les bon temps rouler."

Busch Gardens is continuing its Mardi Gras celebration through Feb. 16.

Join the fun every weekend through Fat Tuesday with open-air festivities with a French Quarter flair.

Get jazzed up with Mardi Gras-style live music and New Orleans-inspired entertainment. Catch some festival beads from strolling performers throughout the day, and get caught up in the fun as you dance through spacious walkways.

Events include:

• Pop-Up Parade – The Bird Gardens come to life as entertainers, stilt walkers and musicians bring the Mardi Gras spirit to life during this special pop-up parade offered at select times during event hours.
• Bead Garden – What's Mardi Gras without beads? Stop by the Bead Garden for a physically distant opportunity to catch beads with your party at select times during event hours.
• Brass Band – Enjoy Bourbon street beats and jazz classics as the Brass Band gets the party started in the Bird Gardens. See the daily schedule for show times.
• Zydeco Band – Immerse yourself in the music of New Orleans as this band brings the Cajun sound to Tampa Bay. See the daily schedule for show times.
• Feast on classic Cajun cuisine like a signature shrimp po’ boy with crispy shrimp, Tabasco pepper rémoulade, crisp cabbage and pickles, chicken po' boy with habanero pepper-glazed hot chicken, celery rémoulade, crisp cabbage and pickles; savory biscuit filled hearty jambalaya, gumbo crawfish étouffée and braised brisket.
• Try sweets like New Orleans' iconic beignets. a French Quarter Salted Caramel Thrill Shake with Bulleit bourbon, salted caramel, pretzel, spiced mini doughnuts, and chocolate and raspberry drizzle; The Mardi Gras Waffle Cone Sundae with Kahlua ice cream swirl, salted popcorn, chocolate drizzle, whipped topping and sprinkles; The NOLA Float with Kahlua ice cream swirl and Coca-Cola; Mardi Gras sprinkled sugar cookie and Mardi Gras cupcakes.
• Enjoy handcrafted cocktail classics like the classic New Orleans Hurricane, smoked Bloody Mary cocktail, spiced vanilla old-fashioned cocktail, Canal Street bourbon and vodka tastings and Big Easy Taps draft beers.

Click here to purchase a Mardi Gras Sampler Lanyard.