5th Annual Mardi Gras Parade set
“The purpose of our parade and the rest of the Krewe’s Mardi Gras celebrations is to help bring our community and neighborhoods together in celebration of the Arts and culture in San Marcos,” said Diana Baker
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS – San Marcos’ original Carnival Krewe – The Mistick Krewe of Okeanos –will again bring the Carnival spirit and traditions to San Marcos with its 5th annual Okeanos Parade on Sat., Feb 25.
This year’s parade will feature all the color, fun and spirit of the first four plus more participants, an expanded parade route and the unmistakable sounds of Carnival.
The 5th annual route will run the length of Belvin Street from Bishop to Scott Street, cross Scott onto Hutchison and conclude at Blanco Street.
At Noon, the parade will begin slowly moving down Belvin, with a San Marcos police car and a precession of floats, walking groups and musical and art performers.
“The purpose of our parade and the rest of the Krewe’s Mardi Gras celebrations is to help bring our community and neighborhoods together in celebration of the Arts and culture in San Marcos,” said Diana Baker, the parade captain, who along with a few of her neighbors in the Historic District, formed the local Krewe in 2011.
This year’s King and Queen, along with neighborhood floats/marching groups from Belvin Street, Burleson Street, Lindsey/Rogers Streets, Dunbar, and San Antonio Street will return for the festivities along with additional participants this year, including:
- The San Marcos High School Band
- The Indigenous Cultures Institute
- El Centro Cultural Hispano
- The St John the Evangelist Fiesta Queen
- The Heritage Association
- The San Marcos River Foundation
- The Mermaids
- Antique cars from Dicks Car Garage.
In addition, the unique sounds of Carnival music will be piped in via speakers placed all along the route.
Participants have been asked to create colorful rolling and walking units representing their neighborhoods/organizations and encouraged to throw beads, cups, and other throws, which will be tossed to viewers asked to line the sidewalks of Belvin and Hutchison Streets.
The public is warmly invited to attend the parade, which is expected to last approximately 30 minutes. Belvin Street will be blocked off from traffic and parking.
Area side streets may be used as well as Small Fries Daycare/Smiles Dentistry Parking lot on the 700 block of W. Hopkins.
The Mistick Krewe of Okeanos gets its name from Greek mythology. Okeanos, the God of the Rivers, was chosen because the beautiful San Marcos River, which has helped to create and nurture community along its banks for more than 8,000 years, is our city’s most important asset.
The Mistick Krewe’s Carnival season began with the Twelfth Night Masque, held on Epiphany, to honor local notables recognized for their work in the challenging field of historic preservation/conservation and those who have made San Marcos a better place to live.
Long-time San Marcos residents Ted and Frances Breihan will preside as King and Queen of this year’s Carnival.
If you’re interested in being in the parade, or for more information about where to watch the Krewe of Okeanos Mardi Gras Parade please call (512) 296-9422.
