Here's your 2023 guide to Mardi Gras events in West Monroe and Monroe

Ian Robinson, Monroe News-Star
·4 min read

Mardi Gras season is quickly approaching, and there are a number of events planned throughout the Twin Cities, from fun-filled day events to parades.

The Cities of Monroe and West Monroe and local krewes announced their upcoming Mardi Gras events Wednesday at a press conference in Alley Park, West Monroe.

"Mardi Gras is part of our culture, it's not just south Louisiana, it's the whole state, obviously it's in other places as well," West Monroe Mayor Staci Mitchell said. "But it's part of who we are and so we love getting to celebrate. We love getting to celebrate with our neighbors and our community [Mardi Gras]. We also love the economic impact that it brings to both communities, West Monroe and Monroe, and the entire parish and our state when we start looking at the big picture."

Here is your guide to in-person Carnival events happening in Monroe and West Monroe this year.

The Krewe de Riviere held its inaugural Mardi Gras parade through the Twin Cities on Feb. 8
The Krewe de Riviere held its inaugural Mardi Gras parade through the Twin Cities on Feb. 8

Krewe of Janus

  • Grand Ball at 7 p.m. on Jan. 28: Don't miss out on the Krewe of Janus's gala celebration at Bayou Point, 1 Warhawk Way, Monroe. The 40th King and Queen Janus Lee and Suzette Sawyer will over reign over the gala celebration and their Royal Court will be presented. The ball will feature entertainment from Louisiana Hall of Fame inductee The Top Cats. Tickets are currently available for purchase.

  • Children's Parade at 10 a.m. on Feb. 11: Don't forget the kiddos and miss out on the annual Children's Parade! The 2022 Children's Mardi Gras Parade will be held at the Pecanland Mall, 4700 Millhaven Road. Registration begins at 9 a.m., line up is at 9:30 a.m., and the first 100 participants receive a goody bag.

  • Mardi Gras Parade at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11: Don't miss out on the Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade! The traditional Mardi Gras parade is set to feature marching bands, floats and costumes.

Krewe de Riviere

  • Children's and Pet Mardi Gras Parade at 10 a.m. on Feb. 4: Come out and celebrate Mardi Gras with the Krewe de Riviere. Enjoy food trucks and activities in Downtown River Market, 316 South Grand Street, Monroe.

  • Mardi Gras Parade at 5 p.m. on Feb. 4: Don't miss out on this year's Krewe de Riviere's third annual Mardi Gras parade! This year's theme is the "Rolling on the River." This year's King and Queen are D.J. Davis and Sandy Bates. The parade will start at West Monroe High School, turn left onto N. 7th Street, then right onto Mill Street across the Louisville Bridge onto Louisville Ave., left onto N. 5th Street, turn right onto Pine Street and left onto Walnut Street ending at the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court.

Mardi Gras Madness

Come to the Downtown River Market in Monroe on Feb. 4 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. to hang out for the day and prepare for the Krewe de Riviere Parade. Family fun activities planned for the day include live music, bouncy houses, mask-making stations, food trucks, magicians and much more family fun.

Krewe of PAWS Mardi Gras Parade

PAWS of Northeast Louisiana is hosting its 16th Annual Krewe of PAWS Mardi Gras Pet Parade Fundraiser on Feb. 11. In addition to the parade, there will be music, food, games for the kids, prizes and an abundance of adorable pets.

The parade will start on Commerce Street in Antique Alley, go north on Commerce and turn left onto Pine Street, left onto Trenton Street and up Trenton Street then left onto Wood Street. The parade will leave back onto Commerce Street and end back at the registration tents.

Online pre-registration for parade participation is available at pawsnela.org. The cost is $25 for the first pet and $5 for each additional pet. Parade day registration begins at 11 a.m. with the cost of $25 for the first pet and $10 for each additional pet. Costume and float contests are $5 each and will be held at noon. The parade line-up starts at 12:30 p.m. and the parade starts at 1 p.m.

Jester Jog Color 5K

Run a portion of the Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade route and back through downtown West Monroe in your Mardi Gras-themed outfits on Feb. 11.

The 5K begins at 2:30 p.m. at the corner of Wood and Commerce Street in Antique Alley in downtown West Monroe. The $35 entry fee for the 5K includes a T-shirt, buff (a wind-resistant, breathable, bandanna-like piece of apparel) and sunglasses.

Downtown Monroe Mardi Gras Bash

Don't miss out on Downtown Monroe's Mardi Gras Bash on Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. in Downtown Monroe, 511 Walnut Street. The Masur Museum of Art will have a free mask-making pop-up. Go DJ Kidd will be providing live entertainment, and vendors will be on-site selling food and treats.

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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Monroe, West Monroe Mardi Gras guide for carnival in 2023