The third annual Muncie Mardi Gras attracted thousands of people and reported no arrests.
Cheryl Crowder, special events coordinator for Muncie Downtown Development, said she believes 9,000 to 11,000 Muncie residents and Ball State students attended the event Saturday on Walnut Street.
Crowder said she will know exactly after the presold tickets are counted.
Last year's Muncie Mardi Gras counted 8,000 people in attendance and three arrest.
Crowder said the Muncie Police Department did not have to make any arrest throughout the evening.
"I am thrilled with how the night went," Crowder said.
Eighteen restaurants and bars participated in Muncie Mardi Gras, many taking over abandoned buildings to house bands and party goers throughout the night.
Dill Street owner Phil Wills said the night was once again a success for the Village Bar.
Dill Street joined in on the festivities last year and plans on participating again next year.
Senior Amanda Williams said she enjoyed the Mardi Gras simulation but felt a couple things were missing.
"I expected it to be a lot more wild," Williams said. But she did enjoy seeing all the colorful masks and costumes.
Williams, who was experiencing Muncie Mardi Gras for the first time, thought it offered the community and Ball State students a great chance to come together in celebration.
Crowder said people seemed to really enjoy the mechanical bull and a go-go cage which was added to the entertainment line-up this year.
Crowder said more live music was also added this year.
Muncie Police officers monitored the evening on foot, car and horse.
Wills said the officers did a good job of keeping everyone safe.
Along with bar hoppers, Crowder said she knew of at least 12 private parties going on along Walnut Street.
The Texas Roadhouse had a private party collecting money for charity, Crowder said.
Crowder said every year they learn how to better the event, and she is glad they started having it.
"We're sick of people saying there's nothing to ever do here," Crowder said. "So we created something to do."
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