"Taste of Mardi Gras" moves to new weekend

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Cenla Chapter’s annual Carnival party, “Taste of Mardi Gras,” (TOMG) will be held Friday, February 6, 2015 at the Alexandria Riverfront Center, 707 Main Street, 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Special VIP entry is at 6:30 p.m.)

For the first time in its 14 year history, TOMG will be held the weekend prior to its usual date to expand the carnival celebration in the Alexandria area. The 2015 TOMG will kick off a second weekend of festivities that will include the new Light the Night Parade in Pineville.  

A party not to be missed, it will feature “tastes” of the best restaurants in central Louisiana, a silent auction of more than 20 packages and entertainment by the band, “Stormy,” which will perform 9-11 p.m. A cash bar will be available all evening.

“Taste of Mardi Gras has become one of Alexandria’s most anticipated events,” said LRA Cenla Chapter President David Merchant, owner of BJ’s Pizza of Alexandria. “It is a wonderful party the whole family can enjoy, with fantastic food and entertainment, all for great causes.”

Last year’s event boasted nearly 40 restaurants and vendors and more than 2,000 revelers in attendance. This year, enjoy tasty creations from Atwood’s Bakery, BJ’s Pizza, Embers, Jena Choctaw Pines Casino, Little Cakes with Big Attitudes and Texas Roadhouse, among many others.

A portion of the proceeds from TOMG go toward the LRA Cenla Chapter’s annual LRA Education Foundation (LRAEF) goal. The LRAEF, in turn, will use monies raised to further promote the restaurant industry as a career choice through its ProStart^® programs and enhance the restaurant community through expanded educational and career opportunities. The Children’s Miracle Network will also receive a portion of the proceeds.

Sponsors for the 2015 TOMG include: Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, CHRISTUS Cabrini, Cleco, Coca-Cola, Gaeda, Jena Choctaw Pines Casino, Progressive Waste and Southwest Beverage Company. 

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased in advance at $20 for adults and $10 for children 10 years and younger. They can be purchased at the following locations in Alexandria:

·         Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 707 Second Street

·         Atwood’s Bakery, 1125 MacArthur Drive

·         Critic’s Choice, 415 Murray Street and 5208 Rue Verdun

At the door the night of the event, tickets increase to $25 for adults and $15 for children.

Reserved VIP Tables are also available in advance for $400, which includes reserved seating for eight and early admittance at 6:30 p.m. and can be purchased at the Alexandria/Pineville Area CVB. Call (318) 442-9546 or e-mail inquire@apacvb.org. For forms to reserve your table(s), be a sponsor and/or be a vendor, contact LRA Chapter Member Services Coordinator Angela Martin at amartin@lra.org or (318) 366-1326.

For other Alexandria Mardi Gras events, visit www.alexandriapinevillela.com/mardigras. 

Note: Valid ID is required for alcohol purchase/possession/consumption. No outside food, beverages or ice chests allowed.