Let the good times roll
Mardi Gras music, food, more in Texarkana this weekend
TEXARKANA — Mardi Gras lovers can geaux all out this weekend at celebrations downtown.
Although there will not be a Mardi Gras parade in Texarkana this year, there are still opportunities for the community to come together downtown and celebrate in style with beads, bling and Cajun cuisine.
As part of a three-day celebration, the 1923 Banana Club is providing a variety of entertainment forms for people to enjoy.
Jazz performances at the speakeasy will take place throughout the weekend. On Friday, Travis and Company performed, and tonight the Texarkana Jazz Committee will take the stage.
A selection of traditional Mardi Gras food will be available to order. Guests can choose from seafood or chicken gumbo, red beans and sausage, or boudin egg rolls. Dessert will also be available for those who like bread pudding.
“Texarkana may not understand Mardi Gras, but we do understand good food and fun,” owner David Peavy said.
A Mardi Gras Sashay is also being held downtown today, with organizers Beth Bowers and Ned Cheevers encouraging people to dress up, make floats and participate in their own parade.
Calling it “delightfully unorganized,” Cheevers said the sashay’s intent “is to bring together a lot of fun-loving folks in a costumed walking parade. … You can dress up, act silly, strut your stuff, and show some moves.”
“Hopefully, each year we can grow it,” Bowers said.
The parade is described as freeform, and Cheevers said participants can “just do what they want to have fun.”
“Sashay on down and laissez les bon temps, cher,” he said.
(The Banana Club is at 223 Front Street. Music begins there at 8 p.m. To make table reservations, call 903824-7674. The Mardi Gras Sashay is scheduled for 2 p.m. For more information, look for the event’s Facebook page.)