Special to The News

DeAndre Nico, the Port Arthur singer whose spiritual voice wowed fans of “The Voice,” will perform at Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas. NFL running back Jamaal Charles will serve as the grand marshal of the Total Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade.

Color Me Carnival is the 2019 theme of the festival that will color Port Arthur purple, gold and green Feb. 28-March 3 in downtown Port Arthur. A new zydeco stage will bring more performances to the festival weekend where the good times roll. The Woodland String Band mummers from Philadelphia will return to the festival.

Lighted night parades, elaborate costumes, Texas Country, Zydeco Cajun and Latino performers, a state fair quality carnival, vendors and street food make this family event an anticipated time in Port Arthur. Join in and catch some beads.

On main stage enjoy Texas music artist Koe Wetzel and Frank Foster for some Texas Country Music; Dr. Zog Band & Category 6 Band for some good ol’  Rock N Roll; Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin Cajuns & Jeremy Fruge’ & the Zydeco Hotboyz; and for a Latino experience enjoy Groupo Control. Many more performers will perform on three stages.

A graduate of Port Arthur Memorial High School, Charles took his athletic talents and catapulted himself onto the national stage as a record-breaking NFL running back. Charles spent the nine seasons with Kansas City. In 2014 he went to Denver and finally landed in Jacksonville in 2018 where he played two games. He remains an unsigned free agent heading into the 2019 season

Come to Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas to enjoy Cajun food and experience a Mardi Gras parade.

Parade schedule:

Thursday , Feb. 28

• The Lamar State College-Port Arthur parade will begin at 6 p.m. from the Carl A. Parker Multipurpose center

Friday, March 1

• 7 p.m. – Golf Cart and ATV Parade

• 7 p.m. – Valero Krewe of Krewes parade will begin at Rosehill and the Seawall and proceed through festival gates

Saturday, March 2

• 2 p.m. – Krewes Royalty March, inside gates

• 5:30 p.m. – Motorcycle Showcase Parade from Rosehill/Seawall to Houston Avenue

• 6 p.m. – Total Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade will begin at Rosehill/Seawall and proceed through gates. With Jamaal Charles as grand marshal on the Lamar State College-Port Arthur float.

Sunday, March 3

• 2 p.m. – Umbrella Brigade Parade, inside gates

• 3 p.m. – Munchkin Parade, inside gates

• 4 p.m. – Motor Parade from Rosehill/Seawall to Houston Avenue

Main Stage entertainment will include the following performers on the main stage:

Thursday, Feb. 28

• 6 p.m. – Jamie Bergeron and Kickin’ Cajuns

• 8 p.m. – Category 6

Friday, March 1

• 7 p.m. – Mike and the Moon Pies

• 10:30 p.m. – Koe Wetzel

Saturday, March 2

• 2 p.m. – DeAndre Nico, from “The Voice”

• 6 p.m. – Jeremy Fruge & The Zydeco Hotboyz

• 9 p.m. – Dr. Zog Band

• 1 1.m. – Frank Foster

Sunday, March 3

• Latino music all day, featuring Grupo Control at 6:30 p.m.

This 2019 Mardi Gras features a new zydeco stage with more music in the 800 block of Procter Street:

Thursday, Feb. 28

6 p.m. – Alley Kats

8 p.m. – Cajun Harmony

Friday, March 1

• 7 p.m. – Gerard Delafose & The Zydeco Gators

• 10:30 p.m. – Keyun & the Zydeco Masters

Saturday, March 2

• 3 p.m. – Platinum Players’ Zydeco Band

• 6 p.m. – LT & the Zydeco Mob

• 9 p.m. – Joey Greer

• 11 p.m. – Marcus Ardoin & the Zydeco Legendz

Sunday, March 3

• 3:30 p.m. – Bryan Keith & Zydeco Legacy

• 6:30 p.m. – Keyun & the Zydeco Masters

Museum of the Gulf Coast will be one of the entry points for the festival. For more information on the area, visit the Port Arthur Convention & Visitors Bureau web site:  www.visitportarthurtx.com Get Mardi Gras tickets on line at www.mardigrasportarthur.com or call 409-721-8717.