Three days of parades, balls, and activities are planned for Alexandria, making the event the largest Mardi Gras celebration in the heart of the state. “We get so much positive feedback from the community, and it has quite an economic impact with bringing in millions of dollars,” notes Zina Ford, who has served 18 years on the AMGA’s executive committee. “There were over 100 thousand people last year in attendance at the parade. There is a sense of pride in Central Louisiana in being a Mardi Gras destination. We hope everyone comes out and joins in the fun,” she adds.
Current Mardi Gras celebrations can be traced to New Orleans. Some historians credit the French explorer Sieur d’Iberville, whose ship landed just south of New Orleans, as the father of the modern-day Mardi Gras celebrations. Others contend early French settlers to Louisiana are the ones who introduced Mardi Gras customs and traditions to the United States. Although Mardi Gras may have its roots in Catholism and religion, it has evolved into a celebration of the Louisiana culture and heritage.
Alexandria will kick off its 19th Anniversary Mardi Gras weekend with the College Cheerleaders-Classic Cars Parade on Friday, February 17th, at 4:30pm. The parade will feature classic cars paired with college cheerleaders from Louisiana and Arkansas, as well as including Rapides Parish high school and middle school cheer squads. In Alexandria, the parade route will start at Murray Street to Fifth Street to Jackson Street to Fourth Street to Third Street to end at St. James Street.
Josh Mercer, an Alexandria Senior High School graduate and athlete, will serve as the Special Guest of Honor for the CC/CC parade. At ASH, he was a starting linebacker his junior year, but suffered a concussion in the playoffs. This past May during Spring training, Mercer took a hard hit which caused a brain bleed and required surgery. Unable to participate in football on the field anymore, Mercer still contributed to the team on the sidelines as a coach. His “37” jersey was retired and the Josh Mercer Award for ASH athletes who display courage and character under adverse conditions was established.
Admission is free to all three of the Alexandria parades. On Saturday, February 18th, at 10:45am, is the Children’s Mardi Gras Parade. The parade route will follow the same path as Friday’s CC/CC parade. Each year, the AMGA chooses people of distinction who have positive impacts on the quality of life in Louisiana to serve as Grand Marshals. Justine Ker, Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen 2011, has been selected to serve as the Grand Marshal of the Children’s Parade. Ker, a Cedar Creek High School senior from Choudrant, is the Key Club president and a cheerleader at her school. She has received many awards and recognitions at the LMTA Music Rally and State Literary Rally. She has performed as a pianist at the Lincoln Parish Events Center and as a former first-chair violinist in the Monroe Youth Symphony.
The Alexandria Mardi Gras Parade, which will feature numerous massive floats with hundreds of revelers and several high school marching bands, is set to roll on Sunday, February 19th, at 2:00pm. The parade route will start on Texas Avenue; continue on to Masonic Drive to Memorial Drive to North Boulevard to end at Alexandria Mall. Author and comedian David Luck will be the Grand Marshal. A Central Louisiana native, he has written short films, screenplays, and news stories for television. From bartending and behavioral therapy to interviewing hundreds of celebrities as an entertainment reporter, David uses humor to explicate life. His first novel, “Too Fat To Dance,” showcases characters who face awkward social situations, painful loss and bizarre entanglements, yet they dance through life.
From 11:00am until the end of the parade, there will be an Alcohol/Tobacco Free Area. The designated area is in the old Circuit City parking lot across from Target on Memorial Drive. Within the area will be several “zones” for families to enjoy that will feature inflatable jumpers, free face painting, chalk art and story time. The Teen Zone will have a bungee run, jousting, contests and games. In the Music Zone, revelers can line dance and sing along with DJ Rick Kise.
The Krewe of Antiqua Mardi Gras Masquerade Party will be February 9th from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church Olinger Hall in Alexandria. Tickets are $1.00 for seniors age 60 and over, and $3.00 for guests 59 and under. The party will feature a live band and hors d’oeuvres. Call (318) 487-1561 for more information.
A King Cake Party will be celebrated on February 18th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Alexandria Zoo, located at 3016 Masonic Drive. A regular zoo admission will be charged. There will be king cake, music, costumed characters and up-close encounters with zoo animals. The Alexandria Animal Shelter will be on hand with dogs available for adoption.
In Leesville on February 18th, beads will go airborne during the annual Mardi Gras Parade at 2:00pm. The parade will start at the high school, run downtown to Main Street, and then south to the Museum in downtown Leesville. “Mardi Gras is a celebration of Louisiana culture. It has its roots in religious observation. The people come together in a happy place, and to quote a popular button, ‘It’s all about the beads!’” laughs John Crook, director of Leesville Tourism.
Natchitoches will host the Annual Krewe of Dionysos Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, February 18th at 5:30pm. Bobby Hebert, who was inducted into the NFL Sports Hall of Fame, will serve as the Grand Marshal. He is a retired Pro Bowl American football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
The nighttime parade features super floats and other floats and winds its way through east Natchitoches into the downtown area. There will also be the Krewe of Waguns, a children’s and pet parade, on February 18th, at 1:00pm. The children’s and pet parade will begin on the North end of Front Street and end on the downtown river bank. Live music featuring the band, “Luke Jazz Trio” will play from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at the Front Street bandstand.