Local Mardi Gras plans are made
Plans for the Twin Cities’ first Mardi Gras Parade and Celebration are flying ahead with purple, gold and green streamers fluttering.
Members of the Front Street Area Festival Committee met Monday for updates on the event’s planning and progress.
Texarkana, Ark., Marketing Director Charlotte Hartwell told vommittee members her office has received at least 61 float applications so far, and about 50 local food and commercial vendor applications. The event is set to take place between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. Feb. 9.
The Krewe of Koinonia parade will take place during the middle of the celebration, from 4 p.m. to about 5 p.m. The procession will include floats, all-terrain vehicles, antique cars, vans, motorcycles, stilt walkers and jugglers.
“When trying to come up with a name for our Texarkana Krewe, the topic that’s near and dear to my heart is unification of our Twin Cities,” Hartwell said. “The Greek word unity is koinonia, so in Texarkana we will be the Krewe of Koinonia.”
All local and area businesses, civic clubs and individuals seeking to participate in the parade have until 5 p.m. Friday to submit an application to Hartwell’s office.
The festivities will start at 2 p.m. with live country and southern rock music performed by Captain Joe of Atlanta, Texas, along with a “Krewe of Paws & Little Rascals Parade,” a pet parade with children’s batteryoperated vehicles.
Children will also be able to play in bounce houses, watch magic shows and have their faces painted.
“There will be ample room for people to come out and bring their lawn chairs,” Arkansasside Mayor Wayne Smith said. “They can sit and listen to the great music and dance, shop and watch the parade.”
Food vendors, retail booths and adult beverage booths will open at 2 p.m. with crawfish, boudain, seafood, gumbo, jambalaya, hot wings, barbecue, chicken, hot dogs, assorted gourmet coffees, specialty cakes and homemade candy.
Assorted Mardi Gras trinkets, accessories, handmade jewelry, soaps and bath and body products will also be for sale. Street dancers will perform Zumba dances and fitness demonstrations.
The Grand Parade itself will start at 4 p.m., and the parade route will start at the East Broad and Front streets before proceeding west to Front and Olive streets. From there, the parade will proceed north on Olive Street to E. Third Street, where it will turn east and head north again on Hazel Street to East Fourth Street. On East Fourth, it will again head east to Pecan Street before going back south on East Broad to Senator Street.
City officials will only allow beads to be thrown along the parade’s Front Street portion.
Following the parade, people can participate in street dances until 9 p.m.
Vendor parking will be at Front and Pine streets.
For more information, call 870779-4970.