As of Wednesday, there are 44 entries in the 24th Annual Minden Mardis Gras Parade sponsored by the Minden Main Street Program.
“We are still taking entries,” said Main Street Director Mahala Hutto. “Our max number is 60. Only those entries that register in advance will be permitted to parade.”
Entry forms may be found on the Main Street page of the mindenla.org website for online registration, requested by email at mainstreet@mindenusa.com, picked up at Minden City Hall or at the Webster Parish Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Office.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, February 5, with lineup at 3 p.m. at the Webster Parish Fairgrounds. The parade route will cover a 3.3 mile route which begins at the intersection of Germantown Road and Elm Street and winds through the Minden Historic District, Downtown and back to Germantown Road.
- Serving as Grand Marshals will be Minden’s Man and Women of Year, Jake Chapman and Tokia Harrison
- Remix Band, a Jazz and Cajun Band, will perform from 2 until 5 p.m. downtown
- Face painters will be set up in the downtown area from 2 p.m. until the parade begins.
- A Block Party will take place on Pearl Street from 3 until 10 p.m. with a deejay.
- Food Trucks will be located in the Minden Civic Center Parking Lot.
- On Saturday, families are encouraged to tailgate along the parade route.
- Judging for the parade entries will be in front of Minden City Hall at 520 Broadway in Historic Downtown Minden. Categories are as follows:
1) Most Spirited Group
2) Sweepstakes Winner (Best Overall)
3) Best Small Float
4) Best Marching Group
5) Most Original (Creative) Entry.
“Although there is no cash prize,” Hutto said. “Winners receive a trophy and bragging rights for the rest of the year.”
“Fasching” or the “Fifth Season” is the German equivalent of Mardi Gras which officially began on November 11 at 11:11 a.m. The parade takes place during the Fasching Fifth Season, which ends on Shrove Tuesday.
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