On the day after the Mardi Gras riot , Seattle experienced the 6.8 Mw Nisqually earthquake , the worst in 37 years . Its scale caused people to refocus their attention on earthquake recovery and away from the violence . Outside the Seattle area , the incidents attracted little media attention and have largely been forgotten . In 2011 , local bars reattempted Mardi Gras celebrations in Pioneer Square . Smaller Mardi Gras events had been held but it was the first to consist of a collaboration between multiple establishments . Another group had considered organizing an event but the permitting process was too restrictive
Nisqually earthquake
2001 Nisqually earthquake
Seattle Mardi Gras riot