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.
