Mardi Gras on Walnut: Jazz, food, and much more!
By Kathy Edwards McFarland
In the past few weeks, an ad hoc committee of Downtown (and beyond) Dentonites have hurriedly met, planning a very special street party. Headed by Sweetwater Grill & Tavern owner Karen Meredith, the Mardi Gras on Walnut (yes, for the day, Walnut Street will be blocked to vehicle traffic) will see the merging of Sweetwater’s Fat Tuesday Celebration (traditionally scheduled on Mardi Gras night) and the new Friday-before-Mardi-Gras celebration.
Friday, Feb. 28:
Join us at Mardi Gras on Walnut, benefiting the Music Theatre of Denton, which will take in the 100 to 121 block Walnut Street (Between Elm & Locust), and will close to motor vehicles for the day.
Festivities begin at 5 p.m., with family-friendly activities, then as the sun goes down and the lights begin to color the downtown restaurants, businesses and individuals sponsoring the event, live Dixieland Jazz starts up inside Sweetwater Grill & Tavern, 115 S. Elm St. at 6:30 p.m. with Strictly Dixie, and, on the outdoor main stage at 7 p.m., in the center of Walnut Street, with Ron & the Rowdies. Live music will keep this downtown block dancing until 11 p.m. Inside: Strictly Dixie, Vintage Jazz Society, followed by a Dixieland Jazz Jam, Outside: Ron & the Rowdies, Le Not So Hot Klub du Denton,and Zydeco by Woody’s Rampage.
More than a dozen booths will offer Community Market shopping, face painting, mask-making, Cajun-style food, such as a Crawfish Boil, Louisiana 
Meat Pies, Beignets, and Mardi Gras-inspired ice cream sundaes. Jugglers from the local group Juggling & Flow Art will entertain the crowd, along with other “Second Line” entertainers. Included in the entertainment will be three Mardi Gras contests (Masks, Costumes and mini-wagon Floats). In
Example of wagon float.
cooperation with this event, select downtown businesses will extend their hours.
- Specifications for the wagon floats are pull-able wagons, no longer than 6 feet, decorated in New Orleans style.
Mardi Gras on Walnut proceeds benefit the Music Theatre of Denton, a volunteer, 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.
FMI: Contact:
Karen Meredith, (940) 367-4135; email: klmeredith@verizon.net
