PALESTINE, Jan. 31, 2012--The 2nd Annual Main Street and Mardi Gras Parade is Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 5p.m. in the Palestine Main Street District. This year’s parade has more to offer with new floats, live music and the Family Fun Zone from 3-5p.m.
 
“The Main Street and Mardi Gras parade is an event the Main Street Promotion Committee looks forward to supporting,” said Ava Harmon, Promotion Chair for the Main Street Advisory Board.  “It is a fun way to educate the community and visitors about what the Main Street District has to offer in terms of shopping, food, attractions and fun.”
 
The Friends of Main Street, a non-profit organization for the Main Street District, joined forces with the Mystics of Time Mardi Gras Krewe to host the parade. “The goal of the event is to be memorable to the citizens of Palestine and draw visitors from the surrounding areas where parades of this nature do not take place,” said Jean Mollard, President of the Main Street Board for the City of Palestine. 
 
Last year the parade featured three New Orleans style parade floats. This year the number has increased to four. The newest float depicts a Texas longhorn from Anderson County named Bocephus, who is the suitor of the Krewe’s fine French female longhorn Bosephine float. Along with the giant floats, twenty other parade entries will go through streets of downtown. Clowns will be walking the parade route to stop and entertain the children in attendance.
 
The Jaywalkers, an eight-person jazz marching band from New Orleans, will be playing live in the parade. Onlookers are encouraged to join the band in the processional. The Bluebirds, a jazz group from Shreveport, will be playing in the parade from atop their float for the second year. A Mariachi band will also be adding to the festivities.
 
The parade will start at the Anderson County Courthouse and make its way through the Main Street District to the Visitor Center.
 
New this year to the festivities is the Family Fun Zone. “This year, we were looking to add activities to the Mardi Gras celebration,” said Laura Westgate, Main Street Manager for the City of Palestine. “The Mardi Gras parade here is more of a family-friendly party for all to attend, so we added the Family Fun Zone that features child-friendly activities.”
 
The Family Fun Zone is located in the Redland’s Parking lot at 302 W. Oak St. across from Texas Art Depot/Granny Muffin Wines. Activities in the Zone include:
 
• Two bounce houses
• Shows and interactive displays by Explore! The Mobile Children’s Museum
• Interactive exotic animal show by The Creature Teacher
• Face painting
• Noisemaker arts and crafts table
• Popcorn and bubble gum doubloons
 
For more information regarding the Mardi Gras parade visit www.palestinemainstreet.org or call the Visitors Center at 903-723-3014. You can also get more details by checking out www.facebook.com/palestinemainstreet.