Memorial Tribute To Howard "Squared" Howard - click here

 

 

Jefferson's Mardi Gras is comprised of volunteer membership, whose main focus is the creation of several annual events in the Jefferson, TX area.

Historically, Mardi Gras was celebrated in Jefferson, Texas back in the 19th century, surely a sign of the city's cultural ties with New Orleans via the waterways of the Big Cypress Bayou, Caddo Lake, Twelve Mile Bayou and the Red River.

Numerous stories of the parties thrown in Jefferson appear in area newspapers of the day, noting particularly the galas, including the Queen Mab Ball, held in Jefferson, and other events thrown aboard boats plying the waterways between Jefferson, TX and Shreveport, LA.

When the town's tremendous commerce slowed to a crawl, in the late 1800's, so did much of the city's cultural life. The year 1990, however, marked the rebirth of Jefferson's Mardi Gras celebration, albeit on a slightly smaller scale than the one of today.

Memberships are available to any interested parties and cost $40.00/individual and $75.00/couple

20th Annual Heritage Triathlon
1/2 Mile Swim • 25K Bike • 5K Run
 July 13, 2008

More Details- Click Here

which is far less than the thousands of dollars paid by individuals to "play" in the larger Krewes of New Orleans, Mobile, even Shreveport. Jefferson's club is also a bit more relaxed, but if you want to see the group go into action, ask it to host an event.

The first official event wasn't actually Mardi Gras, but instead the 1989 Jefferson Heritage Triathlon. Funds raised from that race helped support the first Mardi Gras in 1990, and since then, the two events have been most inseparable.

This past summer, the volunteers and Jefferson hosted its 18th annual Heritage Triathlon, by far one of the most popular races among triathletes and also one of the largest running in the four state region of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Every year the group also sponsors a Halloween event. Some years it is a Haunted House, and this past year it was a "Monster Bash " in conjunction with Auntie Skinner's Riverboat Club.

Mardi Gras in Jefferson is a three day event that is held over the same weekend as Mardi Gras in New Orleans (weekend prior to Fat Tuesday) and the weekend varies from year to year.

Membership Forms

Future Mardi Gras Dates


FAT TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 5, 2008
MARDI GRAS WEEKEND - FEBRUARY 1ST, 2ND, & 3RD

FAT TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 24, 2009
MARDI GRAS WEEKEND - FEBRUARY 20TH, 21ST, & 22ND

FAT TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2010
MARDI GRAS WEEKEND - FEBRUARY 12TH, 13TH, & 14TH
 

For More Information, Write to:

hebe@mardigrasupriver.com