Neighborhood Mardi Gras Shoebox Parade

Mardi Gras is the long-standing Catholic festival season preceding Lent. From Twelfth Night, January 6th, to "Fat Tuesday", or "Mardi Gras" in French, communities adorned costumes, played music, games and celebrated in preparation for Lent.

Learn more about Mardi Gras here:

https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/

https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/mardi-gras-indians/

In elementary schools in New Orleans, it is a tradition to create your own "float" using a shoe box, then students would parade their floats through the school. Here are some instructions for creating your own float:

https://neworleansmom.com/mardi-gras-for-kids/make-shoe-box-floats-mardi-gras-tradition-nola-kids/

https://shoebeboozie.com/how-to-make-a-shoebox-parade-float/

In addition to your float, you've gotta have music! If you don't know anyone who plays trombone or trumpet, here's some music you can play:

Wanna go a step further? Bring some food to share! Here are some great recipes to try:

https://www.rouses.com/cooking/recipes/mardi-gras-monkey-bread/

https://www.rouses.com/cooking/recipes/dirty-rice-stuffed-peppers/

(Zatarain's boxed dirty rice can be used in this recipe)

https://www.rouses.com/cooking/recipes/muffaletta-pasta/

https://www.rouses.com/cooking/recipes/cabbage-casserole/

https://www.rouses.com/cooking/recipes/tommy-rouses-big-batch-jambalaya/

(Several boxes of Zatarain's boxed jambalaya will do!)

OR make home-made Po'boys! The heart of a poboy is crusty, crispy French bread that may be harder to find in North TX (you may have luck at an East Asian bakery) but Walmart's rolls work well. Ham & cheese and roast beef are easy winners or a hamburger poboy in lieu of hot sausage. Dressed with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and American cheese.

A great way to connect and get the ball rolling may be to contact your child's teachers and spread the word!

Putting on the event? Post pictures in our Facebook group The Front Porch North Texas!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

8400 Stonebrook Pkwy, 8400 Stonebrook Parkway, Frisco, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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