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.