Mardi Gras | Let the good times roll today in downtown Texarkana

Are you ready to let the good times roll?

Mardi Gras - or Fat Tuesday - is still a few days away. But Twin City residents can party like it's New Orleans at the Mardi Gras celebration in downtown Texarkana.

Traditionally Fat Tuesday is the last day of fun before the somber season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Lent - which commemorates the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fending off temptation in the wilderness - means sacrifice, fasting and penitence. That's all well and good. But people being people, 40 days is a long time without the sins of the flesh. So many decided the night before Ash Wednesday was the ideal time to indulge in lavish meals and heavy drinking forbidden during Lent.

Over the years, dancing, parades, costumes and other forms of revelry were added to the food and drink. And the Mardi Gras went from one day to several weeks preceeding Lent.

Worldwide the capital of Mardis Gras is Rio de Janiero. In the U.S., though, Mardi Gras is traditionally associated with New Orleans. The famed and mysterious Krewes hold balls and parades and fun-seekers from all over converge on the French Quarter and Garden District. The celebration here at home will be a bit more modest but it promises fun for young and old. And a special feature this year is the Arkansas-side Downtown Entertainment District, which allows adults of drinking age to enjoy their beverages while walking the streets.

A word to the wise, though: Be responsible. Enjoy your festivities, but show moderation and be courteous of others. Let the good times roll but but don't let the good times roll all over you.

Upcoming Events