WYNNE — The first event to be held in downtown Wynne since the March 31 tornado will be held this weekend.
Wynne Downtown Revitalization will host its annual “A Downtown Mardi Gras” event on Saturday.
Mardi Gras began in 2019 and has been held every year except for the COVID year of 2020.
Kim McGuire, president of the Wynne Downtown Revitalization Committee, said there are a number of activities for residents to enjoy.
“We’re going to have our gumbo competition in The Merriman along with beer and wine and King Cakes,” she said. “Jesse Black will be back. … He’ll be at the Splash Pad from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and we’ll have food trucks and vendors.”
Food trucks will include Tomahawk Grill, Grant’s Snack Shack, P.J.’s Hog Dust, and Mike’s Rolled Ice Cream. McGuire added there will be a number of merchants for attendees to browse and shop.
The evening will conclude inside The Merriman with a performance by the Arkansas Delta Kings from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
There is a $10 entry fee for the gumbo competition, which will feature seven contestants.
“We have a full lineup of gumbo contestants,” McGuire said. “They love participating every year. It’s so much fun, and they’re just really enthused about getting out there and showing how good they can cook their gumbo.
“You get a bowl from each station, and you can go around and sample. We’ll have a People’s Choice award and blind judging,” she added. “The People’s Choice they get a little Mardi Gras spoon, and the blind judging they get money.”
Crawfish plates will be available starting at 4 p.m. Saturday for $30 each.
The carnival starts tonight (Thursday) and continues through Saturday. The carnival will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. today and tomorrow, and from noon to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. Armbands are $20 each.
