NewsLocal News

Actions

‘LaMardi Gras’ begins in Lamar community

Posted at 11:00 PM, Feb 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-09 00:00:41-05

The two-day Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser for the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department, LaMardi Gras, is now underway in that community of around 2,000 people just across Copano Bay from Rockport.

“This weekend is going to be awesome,” LaMardi Gras chairwoman Zella Hunt said. “People come out and have fun listening to live music, drink some beer, and have some great food.

LeMaris Gras, taking place Friday and Saturday at the fire department, also includes a casino, raffles, and a tent filled with vendors selling a variety of products.

“If you leave here disappointed, it’s not our fault,” Hunt said. “Because, we’re going to do everything in the world to make sure you have a good time and you’re happy.”

Saturday’s festivities start off with the LaMardi Gras Parade. It begins at 11:00 a.m. near Stella Maris Catholic in Lamar and continues to the fire department. Event organizers say the parade will happen even with near freezing temperatures in the forecast.

“We hope everyone can make it,” LaMardi Gras committee member Melissa Rasco said. “Bundle up. We’re still having a parade, and it’s going to be fun.”

A number of bands will take the stage set up in a tent outside the fire department. Beer, wine, and food will be sold until the event wraps up at 11:00 p.m. Saturday night.

“[You} won’t regret coming,” Hunt said. “It’s just a fantastic event.”

Hunt and other organizers considered not having LaMardi Gras last year, because Hurricane Harvey had ravaged the community a little more than five months earlier.

“We talked about it and thought, no, our community needs this,” Hunt said. “We had it, and we made more last year than we’ve ever made. We cleared $45,000. That’s not bad for a day and a half event. So, we did awesome. We’re looking to get at least $50,000 this year.”