Preview: Mardi Gras events in Knoxville
Anyone looking for a taste of Cajun cuisines or French desserts can find them in Knoxville. Local councils and organizations will host their own Mardi Gras themed events.
Colorful beads, jazz music, parades and Cajun food. Knoxville will become the French Quarter during Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras gala
The Knoxville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta is hosting a masquerade themed gala at the Knoxville Convention Center. This gala is on March 9 from 7-11:30 p.m. Anyone who is interested can purchase their tickets online. KAC priced the tickets at $65 per person. In addition, proceeds from this event will benefit scholarships and KAC service projects.
Mardi Growl parade and festival
Young-Williams Animal Center is hosting their 12th annual Mardi Growl event on March 2. This event begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. People can buy tickets online for $15 or at the event for $20. The parade will start on Willow Avenue and end at Market Square and Krutch Park. More than 60 vendors will attend. Similarly, YWAC is providing rabies vaccines and microchips for $10 per service. Dogs and owners can join in the multiple costume contests.
Mardi Gras at Elk’s Lodge
The Women’s Council of Realtors is meeting at the Elk’s Lodge for their Mardi Gras celebration on March 1. This party will start at 7 p.m. and concludes at 10 p.m. Local band, HardWired, will perform. The council is providing food, drinks and door prizes. Similarly, people can also take part in the silent auction. Council members can buy their tickets online for $25. In addition, non-members can buy their tickets for $30 per person.
Mardi Gras Cajun Crawl
Downtown Knoxville restaurants are preparing for foodies with appetites for Cajun flavor. These restaurants are a few among the many gearing up for the swarm of Mardi Gras celebrators. However, people can order these Cajun dishes all year long. The French Market Crêperie sells authentic French crêpes, European coffee and pastries. Babalu Tacos & Tapas serves crab cakes, fried oysters and shrimp and grits with a Creole sauce. Similarly, Tupelo Honey Café has grilled or fried oysters, fried okra and low country blackened catfish. In addition, customers can order cinnamon bread pudding for dessert. Stock & Barrel provides spicy crab dip, chicken and waffle burgers and bourbon peanut butter pie.
Painting with a Twist
Painting with a Twist will host a painting session on Feb. 27. This Mardi Gras-themed session will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. After that, the hosts will donate a portion of the proceeds to Young-Williams Animal Center. People can reserve their seats online for $35 per person.
Vol Night Long
The Big Quiz Thing will be hosting a Mardi Gras-themed trivia at UT. The game night will take place in the Student Union Ballroom on Feb. 22. Vol Night Long will provide free food, a magician, a balloon artist and more. This event starts at 9 p.m. and ends at 11:45 p.m.
Edited by Kaitlin Flippo
Featured image by Linnaea Mallette, courtesy of Creative Commons
