(posted 3.1.11)

CONCRETE — The Concrete Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 4th annual Mardi Gras celebration in Concrete on Sat., March 5.

The fun takes place on Main Street and includes a colorful parade, New Orleans-style crayfish boil, children’s activities, demonstrations, and contests. The event is topped off with a nighttime masquerade ball.

“We never really thought this would be an annual event,” said Valerie Stafford, president of the Concrete Chamber, in a press release. “But it’s taken on a life of its own and each year gets a little bigger. It’s the most fun you can have west of New Orleans.”

Everyone is invited to be part of the free, “rain or shine” parade, with line-up near the Concrete Post Office at 9:30 a.m. and the parade starting at 11 a.m., traveling from west to east on Main Street. Each parade entry must include the official Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold.

Parade entry forms are available at the Chamber office in the Skagit County Community Resource Center and online at www.concrete-wa.com. Prizes will be awarded in four categories:

Best Krewe (group, organization, or business)
Best-dressed Adult
Best-dressed Youth
Best-dressed Pet

The 2011 Mardi Gras King and Queen, Harold and Cheryl Pitts, will reign over the parade. The Pittses own the Hi. Lo. Country Bar & Grill and the Hi. Lo. Country Hotel, both of which were renovated and reopened by the couple in the last year, much to the delight of the community.

“We think it’s fitting to crown Harold and Cheryl as this year’s royalty,” said Stafford, “to recognize them for their hard work and community spirit.”

Before, during, and after the parade, revelers can enjoy an authentic Louisiana meal-in-a-bag: A crayfish boil will be featured near the town’s Bear Square (dubbed the French Quarter for this event), featuring crayfish (small fresh-water lobsters), okra, and cornbread for $10. The special feast is being prepared by Chef Brad Whaley of Café Burlington.

Another food-related activity is the King Cupcake Contest, where participants who purchase a cupcake with a token inside will win a prize. Cupcakes will be sold on the street during the parade; tokens can be redeemed at the Concrete Theatre. Proceeds from the cupcake sale benefit the Concrete Heritage Museum.

Children are invited to have their own food fun with the Oreo-Stacking Contest in front of the Hi. Lo. Country Hotel, with prizes awarded for the highest tower of cookies. Face-painting and ceramic painting also will be available for kids.

Encore Fitness will present a free sample of Zumba, the popular dance workout set to international music, at 12:30 p.m. in the Concrete Theatre.

Other businesses around town will be in the Mardi Gras spirit, with special Cajun menu items: Annie’s Pizza Station will feature Andouille Sausage Pizza and Louisiana Gumbo, and Cascade Burgers will offer a special Cajun Burger Combo.

The celebration will culminate with the 2011 Masquerade Ball starting at 8 p.m. at the Hi. Lo. Country Bar & Grill, where the person who wears the most beads will win a prize.

For more information, please contact the Concrete Chamber of Commerce at chamber@concrete-wa.com or 360.853.8767.

—Concrete Chamber of Commerce

Mardi Gras documentary to screen at Concrete Theatre

Concrete Theatre, located at 45920 Main Street in Concrete, will show “By Invitation Only” on Thur., March 3 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. “By Invitation Only” is a documentary that provides an unprecedented look at the inner workings of the Mardi Gras Carnival society. The documentary is one hour in length and for adults only. For more information, call 360.941.0403 or go to www.concrete-theatre.com.