COUNTY LIFE
Mardi Gras events kick off in Nocona
Mardi Gras Nocona Style was launched Saturday night during the annual Mardi Gras kicking off a full week of activities for the entire family.
This is the 15th year for this unique celebration of small town Texas with a New Orleans twist. The Mardi Gras Ball was a sea of glitter and sparkle as guests dressed up in their best to enjoy music, dinner and dancing.
Larry and Donna Lemons were crowned the Mardi Gras King and Queen. The pair are longtime Nocona business owners and presently operate an art gallery in downtown Nocona featuring Lemons Texas State of Mind artwork and books.
The week will include a variety of parades from ATVs to family canines, capped off by the Big Parade on Saturday.
Nocona Chamber of Commerce is offering cash prizes for the first-third place winning floats in the “Big Parade” on March 1. First place will win $1,000, second place $500 and third place $250. It is free to enter to get you entry forms at nocona.org/events click on the Mardi Gras Nocona Style tab.
The Big Parade is the climax of a week of parades as it rolls out at 3 p.m. on March 1. It will be followed by a fish fry at the H.J. Justin building and live music at various venues in the community.
The parade activities begins on Friday with the decorated ATV parade at 5 p.m. Line-up begins at 4:30 p.m. at The VFW. Folks can enjoy a cajun boil at 5:30 p.m. at the Justin building.
Saturday opens early with a pancake breakfast at the VFW benefitting Lucky Paws Shelter. Serving begins at 8 a.m.
Run off all those carbs at 10 a.m. with the 5K Fun Run/Walk hosted by the Nocona High School Band. It will start in front of the H.J. Justin Building at East Oak and Clay.
Entry fee for the 5K is $35 and after Feb. 21 the fee goes up to $40. Race day registration is at 8 a.m. along with packet pickup at 102 Clay. Packet pickup and chip timing closes at 9:30 a.m. Age group awards will be given out for males and females in 10 year increments. Awards will be presented at the finish line.
Register at https://runsignup.com/…/Nocona/NoconaMardiGra5KFunRunWalk. The event also has a Facebook page.
Saturday is all about parades. The kid’s Shoebox Parade, sponsored by The Nocona News, is at 10 a.m. in the Justin Building, followed by the Kids Court at 11 a.m. There are three age categories for the contest: Ages 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and 13 and up. Adults are welcome to participate. Entry categories are shoebox (no boot boxes), cheese boxes (either size) and kitchen matchbox.
All shoebox floats must be turned in At Mary Beckham Davis Park the canines will step out in their costumes for the Krewe de Barkus parade. Pets and their people will go all out with their colorful outfits, with prizes for the top large above 30 pounds and small dogs under 30 pounds. Line-up begins at 10:30 a.m. Entry is free, but donations will be accepted for Lucky Paws Animal Shelter which sponsors the event. All dogs must be on a leash, be up-to-date on vaccines and no aggressive dogs.
The Kid’s parade will start at 2 p.m. on Clay Street followed by the Big Parade at 3 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will serve up a fish fry at the Justin building starting at 4 p.m.
On March 4 there will be a Fat Tuesday Benefit Dinner for Meals on Wheels at Red River Pizzeria starting at 5:30 p.m.
Take time to remember all those who gave all for our freedoms in America. The Bowie News staff wishes you a safe and happy holiday day weekend this Memorial Day. The News office will be closed on Monday for the holiday.
AUSTIN – With Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start to summer boating season, Texas Game Wardens are preparing for one of the busiest boating weekends of the year and reminding Texans and visitors alike to put safety first before heading out on the water.
In 2025, Texas recorded 178 reportable boating incidents that resulted in 50 fatalities and 77 serious injuries. Eighty-four percent of those who died in boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket. Texas Game Wardens also made 223 Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) arrests last year.
“Memorial Day weekend is when many families get back on the water for the first time this year,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, director of Law Enforcement for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Before you leave the dock, take a few minutes to make sure your life jackets are on board, your boat is properly equipped and you have designated a sober operator.”
Texas Game Wardens encourage boaters to keep the following in mind before launching:
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Children younger than 13 are required to wear one while underway.
- Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The operator must wear the lanyard or have the engine cut-off switch fob on their person when operating a boat equipped with one.
- Operate at a safe speed and maintain a proper lookout.
- Take a boater education course. It is required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993.
- Check the weather before heading out and be prepared for changing conditions.
- Leave a float plan with someone you trust.
- Don’t overload your boat.
“Boating should be fun,” said VanderRoest. “A little planning and some common sense help keep it that way.”
Renting a Boat or Personal Watercraft
If you plan to rent a boat or personal watercraft, choose a licensed vessel livery (a business establishment engaged in renting or hiring out vessels for profit).
By law, vessel liveries must provide all required safety equipment, explain how to operate the vessel, review applicable boating laws and have the operator sign a form acknowledging they received this information. They are also required to carry liability insurance.
Before leaving the dock, renters should make sure the vessel has enough life jackets for everyone on board and that they understand basic operating rules, including those specific to personal watercraft.
Personal Watercraft Safety
Personal watercraft, including jet skis, are subject to special laws in Texas. Operators and passengers must always wear a life jacket, the operator must use the engine cut-off switch, and these vessels may not be operated between sunset and sunrise. Operators must also stay at least 50 feet from other vessels, people and the shore unless traveling at headway speed.
“Whether you’re launching your own boat or renting one for the day, take the time to understand the rules and make safety part of your plan,” said VanderRoest. “If you take safety seriously from the start, you’re far less likely to need help later.”
For more information about boating laws, required equipment and boater education courses, visit the TPWD Boater Education Program at tpwd.texas.gov/boatereducation.
Starting at noon on May 25 at The V (VFW) in Nocona there will be a program for the Memorial Day featuring speakers, cannons and a rifle team.
There will be a Memorial Day Celebration Dinner at 5 p.m. on May 25 at the Nocona Senior Citizens Center (Carpenter Shop).
Call for reservations at 940-825-3148. The meal will include barbecue ribs, french fries, beans, cole slaw, dessert and ice team. Adults are $10 and children $5.
Proceeds benefit the senior center and the Meals on Wheels program at Nocona.
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